MONROE - The City of Monroe Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire a Michigan firm to conduct a parking study of the downtown.
Alderperson Charles Koch made the motion to approve hiring Rich & Associates to research parking needs for downtown Monroe. Alderperson Brooke Bauman seconded the motion. Alderperson Chris Beer was absent.
The results may have a large impact on the future of the already-crumbling parking ramp just off the Square.
The study is "not just looking at the ramp but also the Square," said Martin Shanks, assistant city administrator.
The proposal was selected out of a group of six, he said. After reviewing the proposals with an evaluation committee, Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber and Police Chief Fred Kelley, Rich & Associates was either in the number one or two spot on everyone's list, he said.
"We actually came to a clear consensus on it," Shanks said.
He said the committee selected the firm last week because of its specialization in parking studies, the depth of the scope of study it offers, and its involvement with key stakeholders.
The study will cost the city between $29,500 to $35,000, with $5,000 coming from the Business Improvement District.
Shanks said he will work with BID, Main Street Monroe and others to negotiate and finalize the scope of the study.
Mayor Bill Ross said he hopes the study will create a clear understanding of the future of Monroe's parking ramp.
According to Shanks, the actual research itself will not include any reports regarding the condition of the current parking ramp.
The parking study will take the firm anywhere from three to four months to complete, depending on the scope needed, Shanks said.
"They can start as soon as (the city) is ready to go," he said.
Alderperson Charles Koch made the motion to approve hiring Rich & Associates to research parking needs for downtown Monroe. Alderperson Brooke Bauman seconded the motion. Alderperson Chris Beer was absent.
The results may have a large impact on the future of the already-crumbling parking ramp just off the Square.
The study is "not just looking at the ramp but also the Square," said Martin Shanks, assistant city administrator.
The proposal was selected out of a group of six, he said. After reviewing the proposals with an evaluation committee, Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber and Police Chief Fred Kelley, Rich & Associates was either in the number one or two spot on everyone's list, he said.
"We actually came to a clear consensus on it," Shanks said.
He said the committee selected the firm last week because of its specialization in parking studies, the depth of the scope of study it offers, and its involvement with key stakeholders.
The study will cost the city between $29,500 to $35,000, with $5,000 coming from the Business Improvement District.
Shanks said he will work with BID, Main Street Monroe and others to negotiate and finalize the scope of the study.
Mayor Bill Ross said he hopes the study will create a clear understanding of the future of Monroe's parking ramp.
According to Shanks, the actual research itself will not include any reports regarding the condition of the current parking ramp.
The parking study will take the firm anywhere from three to four months to complete, depending on the scope needed, Shanks said.
"They can start as soon as (the city) is ready to go," he said.