By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Time is ticking away for Bowling Green to solve its downtown parking dilemma.
Last year, city council introduced an ordinance doubling downtown parking meter fees from 25 cents to 50 cents an hour. But council wanted to study other options before taking that step.
So a downtown parking task force was formed, with seven members – four representing downtown property owners and three representing business owners who don’t own their buildings. Several options were discussed, including higher parking fees or free parking subsidized by the business and property owners.
The group met several times, but was unable to reach a consensus. Two members strongly favored the shared parking model, three members strongly supported the rate increase, and two members leaned toward the rate increase with some reservations.
“The report was very thorough and very accurately reports the conversations,” said Assistant Municipal Administrator Joe Fawcett.
The report has been given to council members – who now must decide the best route forward for downtown parking. Fawcett said he expects council to act on the parking issue “sometime soon.”
“Because the vitality of downtown is a core tenant (sic) of our community and local government, it is imperative that this issue be considered seriously,” the parking report concluded.
And since the current funding structure not longer supports the downtown parking needs – sticking with the status quo is not an option.
The report explains how Bowling Green’s downtown parking issues differ from many communities, including:
- The relatively large downtown resident population needing parking.
- The fact that prime parking locations (on the street) are free, while spaces further away and behind the storefronts are paid.
- A large student population as well as downtown employees has prompted concerns about the lack of parking turnover.
- A very low current parking rate, of 25 cents an hour, is below the national minimum rate of $1 an hour charged.
The problem lies in the fact that the city’s parking fund is intended to pay for all aspects of downtown public parking. This includes paving, ongoing maintenance of the parking lots, enforcement costs including personnel and equipment, parking meters and kiosks, and taxes on the parking lots.
Last year, the parking fund had a projected deficit of $21,000, as the balance continues to drop. Also looming is the fact that nearly all the downtown parking lots are in need of paving.
In an effort to avoid raising rates for those parking downtown, city council requested more information on the shared parking model. In this model, downtown property owners would be assessed for improvements to city-owned parking lots. In turn, no fee would be assessed for parking.
Under the shared parking model, the city would use parking violation revenue to pay for enforcement.
While offering free parking to downtown shoppers and diners sounded good, it also presented challenges in ensuring turnover in downtown parking. Some committee members were concerned that the shared parking model would be abused by those working and living downtown – leaving less space for customers.
Those favoring the parking rate increase noted it brought Bowling Green into alignment with some other communities in the region.
Other parking related issues were also discussed by the task force, including:
- The city’s current method of parking enforcement is antiquated and needs to be updated. This would increase efficiency in the police division.
- The majority of the committee members felt the time allowed for parking downtown short term should be increased from the maximum of two hours to three hours.
- Some members of the community continue to have concerns about using the parking kiosks. However, those wanting to use credit cards have embraced the kiosk system.
- If the city goes with kiosks in all downtown parking lots, it was recommended that small shelters or covers be installed to protect customers from bad weather.
- If council adopts the rate increase, it will be recommended that handicapped parking in city lots be offered at no charge, since there is no free parking designated for handicapped vehicles on the downtown streets.
- The possibility of a citizen assessment for parking was mentioned. However, council cannot take such action without it being placed on the public ballot.
