New Westminster Downtown Parking Strategy Public Open House #1 September 13, 2012

Transcription

1 New Westminster Downtown Parking Strategy Public Open House #1 September 13, 2012 The City is preparing a strategy for parking in Downtown New Westminster. The study team and a group of key stakeholders have been working together to explore today s issues and build a vision for the future. The purpose of the study is to: Understand today s issues Prepare for the future, which includes expected growth in jobs and population and a community commitment to increase walking, cycling, and transit In today s open house, you are invited to Discover the complex patterns, relationships, and policies concerning parking Share issues and opportunities Contribute to the vision of the future Enhance and protect the economic vibrancy and livability of Downtown

2 Work Plan & Schedule Over the past few months, we have collected data and existing information and worked to understand the current parking context, as well understanding aspirations for the future. Once we understand these things, we can identify the stepping stones that will get us from today to the vision. EXISTING CONDITIONS (discovery) Today s discussion: What is Downtown Parking like now? What is the vision for the future? Near-term strategies Mid-term strategies Long-term strategies VISION OF THE FUTURE Stepping stones to move us from today to the vision (To be discussed at Public Open House # 2 PHASE 1 Project Initiation Preliminary meetings and review of existing info The technical work includes five phases, as shown in the Work Plan and Schedule below. This Open House represents the end of Phase 2 and the beginning of Phase 3. PHASE 2 Parking Data Collection and Assessment PHASE 3 Assessment of Demand and Future Projections PHASE 4 Development and Evaluation of Strategies PHASE 5 Documentation Collect data and assess existing conditions Assess demand, issues, and develop future projections Identify strategies, develop long & short term programs in line with principles and aspirations Write reports City of New Westminster Downtown Parking Strategy 2012 (NWRFP ) Proposed Work Schedule PHASE 1 Project Initiation PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4 PHASE 5 Public Parking Data Collection and Assessment Assessment of Demand and Future Projections Development and Evaluation of Strategies Documentation JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB C C

3 3 Study Participants Many different people with different backgrounds, interests, roles, and responsibilities are involved in this study. Today, we are asking you to represent the general public and identify issues, review the information we`ve collected so far, and provide feedback. Identify issues High level review of information, analysis & strategies, Provide feedback Direct overall study and consultant team Provide historic information Bring stakeholders together Directed City Staff to undertake study Guidance through process Final say General Public City of New Westminster Staff City of New Westminster Council Research, data collection, & analysis Facilitate meetings & collect input Identify and evaluate strategies Documentation Consultant Team Provide information and input Represent diverse community needs & issues Primary & more detailed public input Stakeholder Advisory Group Issues & Challenges Aspirations / Guiding Principles Strategies (Supply, Pricing, Demand) Input & Feedback Plan Public Open House #1 (today) Public Open House #2 Today, we are asking you to provide input on Issues and Challenges and Aspirations / Guiding Principles. From 7:00 8:00 you are invited to join our discussion tables. There is also a survey form; please fill it out and return it to the City by September 28, The next open house will provide an opportunity to comment on the near-, mid-, and long-term strategies.

4 Existing Parking Supply There are three basic types of parking: on-street, off-street public, and off-street private. Off-street spaces can be publically owned (i.e. owned by the City) or privately owned. The City has the authority to directly manage publically owned on- and off-street parking. Private parking can be influenced through bylaws, but cannot be directly managed by the City. On-Street Public Parking Publicly Owned Metered, Time Restricted, Free Off-Street Private Parking Privately Owned e.g. Employment, Residential Off-Street Public Parking Publically Owned e.g. Plaza 88 On-street Off-street Total Precincts Metered Not Metered Publicly Owned Privately Owned (stalls) (stalls) (stalls) (stalls) (stalls) Waterfront * Front Street Parkade 759 Albert Crescent Columbia Station Parkade 183 1, Tower Precinct * 1,190 Historic Precinct * 603 Total ,385 3,946 * Estimates provided by stakeholders. May not include all available stalls (2,401 publically owned)

5 Parking Occupancy & Turnover $120, Monthly Parking Meter Revenue, City of New Westminster (2011) $100, Parking Meter Revenue $80, $60, $40, $20, $- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month (2011) Weekday Weekday Maximum Occupancy by Precinct Weekday Peak Period Occupancy by Block 12:30 13:00

6 Parking Occupancy & Turnover Saturday Peak Period Occupancy by Block 14:00 14:30 Saturday Maximum Occupancy by Precinct

7 Issues and Challenges

8 Aspirations for Downtown When asked what success looks like, the Stakeholder Advisory Group shared the following visions: Many existing plans include visions that affect parking in the downtown. Some of these are featured here: The Downtown is a unique neighbourhood within the City. It functions as the economic, cultural, historic and residential hub of New Westminster. Its natural amenities along the riverfront and historic streetscapes enhance its tourism, entertainment and retail appeal. Its high density residential and commercial buildings in close proximity to transit provide a showcase for the attributes of sustainable and responsible growth in the Metro Vancouver region. Downtown Community Plan, 2011 New Westminster s integrated transportation system will contribute towards the resiliency and vibrancy of the City as a community to live, work, socialize, study and play. proposed vision from the Draft Transportation Master Plan, Everyone understands how parking policies are linked to overall transportation, economic, and livability goals Residents and businesses support each other, with more local use of local businesses Parking is available in the right place, at the right time, at the right price and people know where to find it Downtown New Westminster is a unique destination, like Main Street or Gastown Businesses, residents, and students all benefit from being located together in a vibrant Downtown A balance of retail with offices to increase local daytime shoppers Retailers providing options to local travellers who use alternative modes What are your aspirations for the Downtown? How do these fit with the visions described above?

9 Front Street Parkade Weekday Occupancy by Hour Saturday Occupancy by Hour 100% 100% 90% 90% 80% 80% 70% 70% Percent of Spaces Occupied 60% 50% 40% Percent of Spaces Occupied 60% 50% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 Start Time 0% 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 Start Time 85% utilization Dowtown Total Front Street Parkade 85% utilization Dowtown Total Front Street Parkade Front Street Parkade (2008 report) 13 rehabilitation alternatives provided Report recommends City complete only maintenance required for public safety Scenario allows parkade to be safely used for 15 years Costs between $4.1-$4.3 million ($2008) which includes eventual deconstruction Longer term strategy for the parkade will be considered in the context of overall parking demand patterns in the downtown

10 Vision for Downtown s Front Street and Rail Corridor Proposed Vision for Downtown s Front Street and Rail Corridor As the City implements the Downtown Community Plan, Front Street will be returned to a pedestrian friendly retail street with historic storefronts. Seamless connectivity to the Waterfront will be achieved by an elevated Sixth Street Overpass allowing for barrier-free movements to the Waterfront and the Westminster Pier Park for pedestrians and cyclists. Over time, the Front Street Parkade will be replaced with new public parking decentralized throughout Downtown. The rail corridor will be cleaned up and train whistles will be eliminated. When the Pattullo Bridge is reconstructed, direct access will not be permitted to Front Street. In addition, the City will seek to prohibit or restrict commercial truck traffic from Front Street. - Approved by Council on September 19 th, 2011 for community review and endorsement

11 Guiding Principles The Official Community Plan, Downtown Community Plan, Transportation Master Plan, and Climate Change Plan include visions for Land Use and Economic Vibrancy and for Transportation and Environment in the Downtown. These are the basis for the Guiding Principles that will be used to develop the Downtown Parking Strategy. The figure below shows these visions and guiding principles. Land Use & Economic Vibrancy Promote downtown economic development with appropriate land use mix Managing Public Parking Systems Actively manage parking for the purpose of accommodating visitors to and from the Downtown Transportation and Environment Manage the impact of traffic community livability and sustainability Do these guiding principles match your vision for parking in Downtown New Westminster?

12 Next Steps Assess Demand and Future Projections Develop and Evaluate Parking Strategies Advisory Committee Meeting #3 November, 2012 Public Open House #2 November, 2012 Council Presentation December, 2012 Documentation Draft Report January, 2012 Final Report February, 2012 Thank you