Study Suggest Replacing Ramp, Other Parking Improvements Downtown
A parking study conducted by Walker Parking Consultants suggests a series of improvements in parking services downtown, including a replacement mixed-use parking ramp to meet future parking demands.
“The Downtown Parking Study Report is a planning tool that will guide us through decisions related to the policies and practices of our public parking system,” said Public Works Director Paula Vandehey.
The study covered a 56-block area of downtown and includes four different planning scenarios for the future. The report also contains 15 recommendations for parking improvements to enhance the overall delivery of parking services to the downtown community.
Some of the recommendations include:
- Replacing the Solider Square Ramp with a 575-space mixed-use ramp near the YMCA
- Adoption of credit card and mobile payment options for ramp and on-street parking
- Two new “neighborhood parking zones” in the North and East portions of downtown
- New tiered pricing structure for parking ramps
- Reduced on-street enforcement hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The study will help the city implement ways to more efficiently manage available parking resources and provide better parking options. The study recommends utilizing new technology to improve parking services in ramps and on-street parking downtown to meet the community’s expectations. The study engaged city staff, Appleton Downtown Inc., Lawrence University, the YMCA, Outagamie County, downtown businesses and community members. The study will be presented to the Municipal Services Committee on February 10 at 5:30 p.m
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