Submitted By
Jill Velan, Parking and Mobility Services Director
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 15-3-18(F) of the Oak Park Village Code to Allow for Two Hours Free Parking in Certain Village Operated Multilevel Parking Structures
End
Overview
Overview
Per the Village Board’s discussion at the April 25, 2016 Study Session, this item is being presented for consideration.
Body
Staff Recommendation
The ordinance is presented for a First Reading amending the ordinance to increase free parking from 1 to 2 hours in Holley Court and Lake+Forest Garage. However the Board can discuss other options such as a garage validation program that would allow up to 2 hours free customer parking with local purchase.
Fiscal Impact
Staff estimates that it will cost the Village $198,869 of garage revenue over the course of 12 months to implement a 2 hour free parking process. This estimate includes the $94,579 of revenue lost from FFC as there validation process would not be necessary.
With just under two months of data for the Lake+Forest Garage it appears that over half of the parkers are staying one hour or less. This is consistent with the usage of the old Lake+Forest Garage.
Background
Due to construction in the Downtown area, there has been a reduction in the amount of surface parking lot spaces. While the Holley Court Garage has ample parking, it is located ½ block away from the parking lot that was closed. There are several options that could be considered to encourage use of the parking garage:
- Offer a garage validation program to local businesses. With the implementation of the new parking garage equipment, it is easier for smaller businesses to valid their customers as the expensive validation machine is not required. The business could have the choice of purchasing pre-paid validation stickers they can use to valid customers who use the garage. Currently, the Village has an ordinance that gives a $1.50 discount for high-volume validation users. This allows up to 2 hours of parking with the 2nd hour at a cost of 50 cents to the business per validation. The Village could offer this same discount to small businesses during the construction of the Oak Park Station Development. It is estimated that this option will cost the Village $78,218 in parking garage revenue for 12 months.
- Offer a garage validation program that allows up to 2 hours free parking with qualified purchase during construction of the Oak Park Station Development. Customers with qualified purchases could present a receipt and receive a parking validation at the Holley Court Parking Garage Office. This may require the need for additional security officer hours during peak usage times. It is estimated that this option will cost the Village $141,290 in parking garage revenue and personnel expenditures for 12 months.
- Implement up to 2 hours free in the Holley Court Garage during construction of the Oak Park Station Development. It is estimated that this option will cost the Village $198,869 in parking garage revenue for 12 months.
A review of the Hourly Meter/Lots and Holley Court revenue data for Q1 2016 gives us the following information:
|
2016 |
January |
February |
March |
|
Hourly meters/lots |
$ 122,899 |
$ 114,136 |
$ 123,389 |
|
Hourly Holley Court |
$ 52,492 |
$ 54,421 |
$ 75,554 |
|
Employee Discount Cards |
$ 5,791 |
$ 7,254 |
$ 9,749 |
|
|
(2 weeks free in Lot 9 & 9T) |
($14,445 w/out discount) |
($18,055 w/out discount) |
Due to a delay in the closure of Lots 9 & 9T, it was decided to leave the lots available for public parking even though the pay stations were removed. Therefore approximately 2 weeks of free parking was available to the public. This resulted in a net decrease in revenues of $31,196.
In February there was a net decrease of $7,492 in revenues, without employee discount there would have been a net increase of $4,064.
In March there was a net increase of $17,225 in revenues, without employee discount there would have been a net increase of $31,669. In addition, the new equipment went in at Holley Court parking garage at the beginning of March. This process took about two weeks. While we were still collecting revenue, the vehicle counter equipment was off-line. So the duration of stay for March (see attached) is estimated.
Alternatives
Defer action and seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
N/A.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
Parking and Mobility Services is scheduled to start MAP in the final phase.