Downtown Paid Parking Programs Making a Comeback

April 13, 2012 - PRLog -- Tough economic times and leaner budgets have lent downtown parking a new significance, as a way to generate revenue, a traffic management tool, an amenity, and a way to leverage development deals.

In the April issue of "Downtown Idea Exchange" newsletter, we looked at four downtowns and the successes that they have had in rethinking their parking programs. One example comes from Tacoma, WA, where paid parking has returned to downtown.

After many years of free parking in the city center, Tacoma, is reviving paid parking. The City Council is dedicating all parking revenues to the city's Parking Enterprise Fund, which will be used to operate and enhance the parking system and to pay off existing debt. More than a revenue generator, paid parking is being used to relieve parking congestion.

Studies of the city's parking system indicate that much of the congestion is created by employees not using available off-street parking or alternative travel options such as public transit, bicycles, or walking. The parking turnover created by paid parking benefits both short-stay customers and visitors by making other options more attractive to downtown employees.

Information on parking changes in San Jose, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, and Asbury Park, NJ, appear in the April issue of "Downtown Idea Exchange."

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About the Downtown Research & Development Center

For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.

The Group's main activities include publishing the widely influential "Downtown Idea Exchange" and "Downtown Promotion Reporter" newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com