HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/2017 11 Parking Lot #2 Temporary Closure (3rd and Chestnut; Millenium Plaza)BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: September 19, 2017
ITEM TITLE: Proposal for temporary closure of parking lot#2
SUBMITTED BY: Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager, 575-6274
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the August 22nd Yakima City Council Study Session on downtown parking, a request was
made to prepare a proposal for a temporary closure of Parking Lot #2 in downtown Yakima. The
included proposal provides details for Council consideration and discussion.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
memo 9/14/2017
Type
Coyer Memo
2
Memorandum
To: Yakima City Council and City Manager
From: Sean Hawkins, Economic Development Manager
Date: September 19, 2017
Subject: Proposal: Temporary Closure of Parking Lot #2
At the August 22nd Yakima City Council Study Session, a request was made to prepare a
proposal for a temporary closure of Parking Lot #2 in downtown Yakima. The following proposal
provides details for Council consideration:
1. Like Comparison on Number of Spaces
There are currently 194 usable parking spaces in Parking Lot #2. And, assuming
construction of the Downtown Plaza, 54 would remain after construction. In addition, the
Plaza construction work would create 12 new spaces along the Second Street side of
the Plaza. To more accurately determine the impact on parking in the area after Plaza
construction, it is recommended that 66 parking spaces be left open on site to provide an
accurate comparison. It is suggested that remaining spaces on site be on the south side
of the parking lot to accurately reflect the location of the Market Hall parking when the
Plaza is built.
2. Proper Time to Notify / Remind Employees of All Day Spaces
From the time the City Council approves a proposal to close the parking lot, City staff
requests three weeks to mobilize internal operations and an additional four weeks to
alert and notify the public of the upcoming closure. Internally, City staff needs time to
prepare all communications and signage that will be posted on site to alert the public of
the upcoming closure. Externally, four weeks will be needed to share details about the
closure with the business community to alert them of where they can park using the
City's parking map.
In addition, the City currently has sold 20 parking permits for the lot. The City needs to
prepare communications to temporarily cancel these monthly parking permits for the site
and either refund any money owed or provide an extension to the permit.
3. Parking Study Metrics
City staff is seeking guidance from the City Council on what data needs to be collected
during the study for future consideration.
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Specifically:
• Should City staff perform parking occupancy counts in the weeks leading up to the
study and then compare the counts to the time of the closure?
• Should City staff analyze sales tax in downtown during the closure and compare it to
2015 and 2016 time frame?
• Should there be a pre and post closure survey of businesses and the public
regarding perceptions of the closure?
• Should the City create an on-line comment space for the community to register
impressions of the closure?
• Are there other specific questions Council is seeking to answer with this closure?