After months of work, the Downtown Parking Study is finished.
During Tuesday night's meeting Director of Public Works Nan Newlon presented the report's key findings—which, at first glance, shows Downers Grove is definitely utilizing its 4,000 downtown parking spaces. Some of the specific issues in the report include:
Capacity:
- There's not enough parking to support future development.
Conditions at peak usage:
- During the mid-day on weekdays parking north of the railroad tracks is 90 percent occupied—indicating a shortage.
- During peak times, the parking deck is also at 90 percent capacity.
Commuter parking:
- Commuter parking permits are actually lower than some nearby towns.
- There's a demand for overnight and reverse-commute parking.
- Ironically, commuters who pay the most park the furthest away from the train station.
Recommendations:
The consulting firm and village officials came up with a variety of recommendations, including:
- Create 15-minute spaces at the ends of blocks for some businesses.
- Change some parking lot spaces from three hour to one hour parking limits.
- Convert Level 5 of the parking deck into a daily fee level.
- Turn Lots A and B into shopper parking.
- Charge for overnight parking.
- Regularly adjust parking rates.
- Investigate ways to increase parking north of the tracks.
- Implement an anti-shuffling ordinance that would prevent people from moving their car from one parking spot to another on the same block to avoid parking space time limit regulations.
Mayor Martin Tully commented the good side of being tight on parking is that it's an indication the downtown area is doing well. Tully was also pleased the parking deck is used so much and noted it doesn’t make sense that the commuters parking the furthest away are paying the most.
Commissioner Marilyn Schnell reiterated the importance of finding a way to create more parking north of the tracks. The north side has always been a problem area, she said, and as the businesses there continue to prosper the village needs to do something to alleviate the parking issues.
I would submit that your (and my) experience, and this study, is an example of what the Village is doing right. They appear to be ahead of the game and meeting resident and visitor parking needs. I'm certain that wouldn't be the case if not for the parking relatively recently built parking garage. So I applaud the Village's foresight and responsible planning. If we want our downtown area to remain a destination for residents and visitors alike and for additional visitors to come, we have to continue these studies and planning. A "Tivoli East" parking garage on the North side of the tracks makes all the sense in the world to me. And public/private partnerships are an increasing trend. I hope the Village puts that option back on the table and resumes discussions.
Also, last weekend there was a chorus performance at the Tivoli during the day. There were cars parked on side streets for blocks Northeast of the tracks. Street parking is fine, but the more of these events we can/do have, the more a parking deck on the North side is a valid consideration. I'm not suggesting it is the end all be all or a solution to an overwhelming problem. I'm saying it is an option that should be considered in light of all factors and opportunities (and especially in light of the commuter parking shortage), particularly given the presence of an underutilized (and unsightly) gravel lot that has an owner who has expressed interest in working with the Village on a parking opportunity.
Now...about that Williams Sonoma...
I could not agree more with your desire for strong retailers in our downtown or with your bold vision and confidence in DG's ability to get them and keep them. Indeed, that is the only kind of attitude that will see these goals achieved. I'm on board. And, again, I applaud our community for being proactive on the parking issue (although I disagree with a couple of the recommendations). Viva la Gap!
Ok, I don't force anyone to accept reality, but my Gap bet is still open to those who don't understan the Gap has rejected our downtown as a store site for as long as we have had a downtown TIF and a related case of Gap envy.
But you looking spiffier COULD help the town as a whole. A morale-booster.