75A - PH - DT PARKING PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan August 4, 2015 Page 2 on rate surveys and studies. This plan represents the collaborative efforts and consensus of Downtown business organizations, stakeholders, and City staff. Currently, the City's parking amenities includes approximately 3,200 spaces, in addition to private parking facilities throughout the Downtown. Of these spaces, 1,211 are on- street metered spaces with approximately 500 credit card enabled meters. Downtown on- street meters are designed for short -term parking with a two -hour maximum stay. Long term and overflow parking is available through five parking facilities with 1,997 spaces located within Downtown. Four facilities are multi- level parking structures that accommodate both transient and monthly patrons and one surface lot that accommodates solely transient patrons. Parking structures are correspondingly priced to encourage longer -term use. Collaborative and Consensus Building Efforts with Stakeholder Input In late 2014, City staff assessed current conditions of the parking operations. The findings highlighted key areas of needed modernization improvements and enhanced amenities but also recognized the necessary collaboration between stakeholders. Staff conducted walk and talk tours, hosted and attended meetings to engage stakeholders, and gained a better understanding of the needs of the Downtown. The results have led to the formation of the proposed Downtown Enhancements and Parking Modernization Plan, which is based on the consensus of various Downtown businesses owners, merchants, the Santa Ana Business Council, and Downtown Inc. Current Conditions: On- Street Parking and Off - Street Parking Parking structure rates have not been adjusted in over 20 years and parking meter rates were last adjusted 12 years ago, resulting in an outdated and imbalanced pricing model leading to unfavorable parking management and customer service conditions. An environment where on- street parking is less expensive than off - street parking typically leads to congestion as drivers continually search for lower priced off - street parking. This creates frustration and an unpleasant experience for Downtown visitors. Feedback from stakeholder participants included a recommendation to address expired meter parking citation fines. As a response, it is recommended that the fine be reduced from $56.00 to $40.00. Reducing the citation amount encourages a business friendly Downtown. Since being built in the 1980s, all four of the parking structures continue to operate with the original parking equipment. The equipment is becoming more expensive to maintain, resulting in inefficiencies and maintenance downtime. Additional improvements necessary to modernizing the Downtown includes providing adequate lighting fixtures, proper directional signage, and aesthetics such as paint and landscaping. 75A -2