Two-Hour Parking February 2007

On October 23, 2006 the City Council adopted a set of Guiding Principles and 19 Strategies for parking in the Downtown and Capital Mall areas. Council also directed staff to implement 2-Hour time limits downtown by February 1.

In addition, 30-minute spaces were to be eliminated with an exception process created to add these back if needed by downtown customers and businesses. Parking for persons with disabilities was to be reviewed and improved if possible. Staff was also to report back to Council about plans to create  a Parking Manager position and an advisory process to provide for long-term effective management of downtown parking.

Signs and Time-Limited Spaces

Ø      Developed a map of existing parking spaces designating unlimited, 30-minute, disabled, and loading zone spaces.

Ø      Developed a map of proposed parking spaces. This map was revised multiple times through the public involvement process to add back 30-minute spaces and update and improve locations of disabled spaces.

Ø      Implementation by February 1 did not allow time to establish and use a 30-minute exception process. Did not eliminate all 30-minute spaces; instead, completed a block-by-block review of spaces and businesses to determine areas where short stays would be needed. Revised plan based on public input. (Note: a process and standards will be created in early 2007)

Ø      Parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities were reviewed by a representative of the Oregon Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. The number and location of spaces were revised. Additional information about accessibility will continue to be used to improve spaces as possible.

Ø      Saturday Parking Utilization Survey was conducted Saturday, November 4 to provide data for comparing utilization on weekdays (from June 2006) with utilization on Saturdays. Results are described below.

Ø      A sign plan was developed to clearly mark 2-hour parking and special use parking spaces. Special-use spaces are usually located at the ends of the blocks to make them easy to find and to simplify signage.

Banners were hung on parking garages in November to help downtown customers find

Ø      free long-term garage parking more easily.

Ø      New directional signs were developed to assist drivers in finding the entrances to parking garages for free long-term customer parking and paid permit parking for employees.

Ø      As of January 2, 2007, plans for constructing and posting signs are on schedule. Marketing materials are being finalized to be distributed in mid-January.

Saturday Parking Utilization Survey

Ø      Some downtown business owners wanted two-hour parking enforced on Saturday in addition to Monday through Friday. Others did not. Data did not exist to determine whether or not parking demand on Saturday warranted enforcement.

Ø      The Demand Analysis Parking Survey done in June 2006 as part of the Downtown Parking Study was a weekday parking survey. See: Survey of Parking Demand-June 2006.

Ø      Using the same methodology as the June 2006 weekday survey, a Saturday Parking Utilization Survey was conducted Saturday, November 4, 2006. Results of the Saturday Demand Survey indicated that overall utilization at the peak hour on Saturday was 65.6%, but the heavily-used downtown core showed a 90.2% utilization at the peak hour and over 85% utilization from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ø      A further analysis of Saturday parking demand block-by- block was conducted. Results showed high demand in the north and west sections of downtown and lower demand in the south and southeast sections.

Review of the Saturday utilization data, the block-by-block analysis and input from the advisory group and other business owners led

Ø      to the decision to enforce Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout downtown and Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the downtown core where parking congestion is greatest. See map of Monday-Friday and Monday-Saturday enforcement areas.

Advisory Group and Public Involvement Process

Ø      The Downtown Advisory Board served as the temporary advisory group to prepare for February 1 implementation. Their recommendations were received November 9 and December 7.

Ø      An Open House was held November 30 to allow for public comment on the street plan, signs, the possibility of continuing Monday through Saturday enforcement or enforcing only Monday through Friday. Handouts included: Nov2006 Parking Facts, Nov2006 Frequently Asked Questions, and the information about about the Saturday Utilization Survey.

Ø      Staff individually visited most downtown businesses to provide up-to-date information, answer questions, and receive feedback.

A Parking Forum was scheduled for January 18, 2007 to provide public information. The event was co-sponsored by the Downtown Advisory Board, Salem Downtown Association and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Long-Term Parking Management

Ø      On December 4, Council approved creation of a Parking Manager position and reorganization of staff to establish parking management services. These changes will take place early in 2007.

Ø      A process will be established in early 2007 to allow for review and revision of the locations and number of 30-minute parking spaces.

Planning for on ongoing advisory board process is underway to be completed early in 2007