MONROE - Timed parking restrictions and smaller ramps throughout downtown are better than one large downtown parking ramp, Monroe's Business Improvement District says.
Last week, the BID Board recommended the city of Monroe pursue two measures relating to downtown parking and that some action be withheld for the time being. Among those measures are implementing timed parking around the Square, with a maximum time limit of two to three hours.
Board member Bob Duxstad said it made more sense to put time limits in place before considering what action should be taken with the parking ramp, which is in disrepair and has been the focal point in the downtown parking debate.
"We've reached a point already where we need to move to timed parking," Duxstad said. "Create some movement."
Board member Michael Doyle agreed, and added that it seemed "backwards" to tear down the parking ramp before instituting a plan for timed parking.
Fellow board member Craig Patchin recommended the city invest in smaller ramps by using city land in order to avoid losing possible tax revenue on private property. The two-level structures could be placed in up to four locations around the Square, rather than larger-scale parking on just one side of the Square.
The city requested recommendations from the BID Board and Main Street Monroe after hiring Rich & Associates to conduct a parking study in the downtown area. Board members used study findings to make their recommendations.
For the current parking ramp, the board requested inaction by the city. Duxstad moved to recommend that no work be done on the existing parking ramp until another can be built in a different location. The six board members present, along with Main Street Monroe representatives, expressed interest in seeing four two-level ramps within the business district instead of one larger ramp.
"I know it's more expensive, but there are more spaces and there's an aesthetics to it," Duxstad said. "We have a hodge-podge of dead areas throughout downtown and they don't look good. It can be done on various scales. Yes, it's more expensive, but you're not taking property that can be tax generating."
During public comment, Rex Ewald, who operates the Monroe Business Center, presented a plan to add public parking across the street from Goetz Theater. Ewald said the study found that the Square's east side has less parking than its west. More parking on the southeast corner of the Square could fix that issue, he said.
He also said he favors a flat lot in place of the current municipal parking ramp, and that additional space could be gained by acquiring parcels of land in the area and knocking down buildings to make room for parking spaces.
The board voiced concerns about the difference in parking on each side of the Square, but said the current parking ramp is a driving force in those numbers. Members of the BID Board said it would not be feasible to knock down existing buildings for flat parking lots because the lots do not generate revenue for the city. They spoke against spending money to create empty space for parking which would still require maintenance expenses.
The board and Main Street Monroe turned over its recommendations to the city and Martin Shanks for further evaluation - and the idea of timed parking may have already gained some traction among city officials. The Public Safety Commission agreed Monday the Square and entire BID district needs to limit parking to two to three hours and urged assistant city administrator Martin Shanks to continue exploring its options regarding costs and geographical restrictions.
The Monroe Common Council will revisit the issue of downtown parking and the future of the municipal parking ramp Feb. 2.
Last week, the BID Board recommended the city of Monroe pursue two measures relating to downtown parking and that some action be withheld for the time being. Among those measures are implementing timed parking around the Square, with a maximum time limit of two to three hours.
Board member Bob Duxstad said it made more sense to put time limits in place before considering what action should be taken with the parking ramp, which is in disrepair and has been the focal point in the downtown parking debate.
"We've reached a point already where we need to move to timed parking," Duxstad said. "Create some movement."
Board member Michael Doyle agreed, and added that it seemed "backwards" to tear down the parking ramp before instituting a plan for timed parking.
Fellow board member Craig Patchin recommended the city invest in smaller ramps by using city land in order to avoid losing possible tax revenue on private property. The two-level structures could be placed in up to four locations around the Square, rather than larger-scale parking on just one side of the Square.
The city requested recommendations from the BID Board and Main Street Monroe after hiring Rich & Associates to conduct a parking study in the downtown area. Board members used study findings to make their recommendations.
For the current parking ramp, the board requested inaction by the city. Duxstad moved to recommend that no work be done on the existing parking ramp until another can be built in a different location. The six board members present, along with Main Street Monroe representatives, expressed interest in seeing four two-level ramps within the business district instead of one larger ramp.
"I know it's more expensive, but there are more spaces and there's an aesthetics to it," Duxstad said. "We have a hodge-podge of dead areas throughout downtown and they don't look good. It can be done on various scales. Yes, it's more expensive, but you're not taking property that can be tax generating."
During public comment, Rex Ewald, who operates the Monroe Business Center, presented a plan to add public parking across the street from Goetz Theater. Ewald said the study found that the Square's east side has less parking than its west. More parking on the southeast corner of the Square could fix that issue, he said.
He also said he favors a flat lot in place of the current municipal parking ramp, and that additional space could be gained by acquiring parcels of land in the area and knocking down buildings to make room for parking spaces.
The board voiced concerns about the difference in parking on each side of the Square, but said the current parking ramp is a driving force in those numbers. Members of the BID Board said it would not be feasible to knock down existing buildings for flat parking lots because the lots do not generate revenue for the city. They spoke against spending money to create empty space for parking which would still require maintenance expenses.
The board and Main Street Monroe turned over its recommendations to the city and Martin Shanks for further evaluation - and the idea of timed parking may have already gained some traction among city officials. The Public Safety Commission agreed Monday the Square and entire BID district needs to limit parking to two to three hours and urged assistant city administrator Martin Shanks to continue exploring its options regarding costs and geographical restrictions.
The Monroe Common Council will revisit the issue of downtown parking and the future of the municipal parking ramp Feb. 2.