City of Bethlehem Northside and Southside …...2018/03/21 · • Part5 DraftReport, Public Input, Final Report& Final Presentation Defining the Study Areas • Northside Downtown:

D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N D E G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C TS T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S M A N M E N T D E S M A N | D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S E N G I N E E R S PA R K I N D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S R S E N G I N E R S G R E E N D E S I G N D E S M A N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S D E S M A T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S

U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N P

U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M AD E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S

R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S M A N D E S I G D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S D E S M A N D E S I GPA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N TA R C H I T E C T S D E S M A N S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N P L A N N E R S D E S MPA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S

G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N P P L A N N E R S A R C H I T E C T S D E S M A N P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S I G

D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N N E R S D E S M A N S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M

City of Bethlehem Northside and SouthsideDowntown Parking Study

March 21st, 2018

A N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N P A R K I N G C O N S U L T I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N | D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S E N G I N E E R S P A R K I N G D E S M A N G R E E N P A R K I

O N S U L T I N G A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S G R E E N P A R K I N G C O N S U L T I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G G C O N S U L T I N G D E S M A N P L A N N E R S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N N E R S D E S M A N C O N S U L T I N G A R C H I T E C T S S

Page 1

Downtown Parking Study Scope

• Part 1 Community Outreach and Parking Supply and Demand Study

• Part 2 Analysis of Site Feasibility for Future Development

• Part 3 Development of a Strategic Plan for Parking Management

• Part 4 Development of Financial Projections for the Parking System

• Part 5 Draft Report, Public Input, Final Report & Final Presentation

Defining the Study Areas

• Northside Downtown: 2,249 public parking spaces (444 on-streetmetered spaces, 117 spaces in 1 surface lot and 1,688 spaces in 3 garages)

• Southside Downtown: 2,667 public parking spaces (791 on-streetmetered spaces, 1,679 spaces in 14 surface lots and 197 spaces in 2 garages)



Project Study Area and Locations of Existing Parking Inventory – Northside

Page 2

GaragesSurface LotsMeter Spaces



Project Study Area and Locations of Existing Parking Inventory – Southside

Page 3

GaragesSurface LotsMeter Spaces



Stakeholder Input

• Met in-person and spoke with various stakeholders, including:o Northside and southside businesses and institutionso Southside Arts Districto Hotel operatorso Event venue operatorso Bethlehem Redevelopment Authorityo Private developers

• Held open public meetings in both the northside and southside

• Developed and administered an on-line survey related to parking

City/Authority Staff Discussions

• Met in-person with parking operations and accounting personnelat the BPA

• Participated in extensive discussions with the Planning & Zoningand Community & Economic Development departments

Page 4



Stakeholder/Meeting Notes

• Concern that an actual or perceived lack of parking could inhibit further infill ofexisting buildings or new development

• Several business owners have had issues in their interactions with the BPA, related tohow the BPA communicates changes to the system or operation

• Patrons of the businesses and restaurants in the northside downtown prefer not topark in the parking garages for a variety of reasons

• Parking is too expensive; some think that meter rates are too expensive forcustomers and others think monthly rates are too expensive for employees/businessowners

• Wayfinding signage directing customers to parking facilities is insufficient

• Southside stakeholders believe there is a need for the parking on Mechanic Street tobe paid, hourly parking instead of all permit parking

• There is concern among the southside downtown’s constituents about what willhappen if/when Lehigh University develops its existing surface lots and the Sandsdevelop their parking lots

• There are concerns that the Parking Authority does not consider the impacts thattheir operational and pricing decisions will have on downtown businesses

Page 5



On-Line Survey Highlights

Page 6

• 721 response received

• 66% were Bethlehem residents

• 40% visited at least one of the study areas on a daily basis

• 93% drove to the study areas as their primary mode of transportation

• Parking preferences:

1. On-Street – 68%2. Public Garage – 17%3. Public Lot – 13%4. Other – 2%

• Maximum acceptable walking distances:

1. Two blocks – 40%2. Three blocks or more – 34%3. One block – 16%4. Less than one block – 10%



On-Line Survey Highlights (cont.)

Page 7

• 81% indicated they experienced difficulties finding public parking

• 24% indicated parking rates could be raised to improve the parking experience

• Parking improvements that would be the most meaningful:

1. Construction of additional public parking – 48%2. Smartphone application/technology upgrades – 38%3. Wayfinding & signage improvements – 33%4. Pedestrian/bicycle improvements – 24%

• Business Owner concerns:

1. Lack of available spaces2. Intensity of parking enforcement3. High cost of monthly parking



Current Utilization of Public Parking – Northside

On-Street: 59% Off-Street: 71% Overall: 69% Page 8

B

C

D

A

Space Occupancy85%+70-84%50-69%20-49%<20%



Current Utilization of Public Parking – Southside

Page 9On-Street: 43% Off-Street: 31% Overall: 35%

F

G

HIJ

KL

M N O

P

QR

S

Space Occupancy85%+70-84%50-69%20-49%<20%

E

T



Evaluation of Existing Bethlehem Parking Authority Operation

• Additional BPA Services/Responsibilities

o Valet Parking

o Event Parking

o Park & Shop Program

o On-Street Permit Parking Program

• Parking Technology

o Upgraded all meters to accept credit cards and payment by phone• Evaluating use of occupancy sensors at on-street meters

through a pilot program

o All off-street facilities are automated

o Using License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology for enforcement ofmeter feeding and residential parking

Page 10

N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N P A R K I N G C O N S U L T I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N | D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S E N G I N E E R S P A R K I N G D E S M A N G R E E N P A R K I


Short-Term Impact of Known Future Development on Parking - Northside

Page 11

• Additional hotel rooms and conference spaceo Net reduction of 71 spaces at peak

• Anticipated impact of demolition and replacement of existingWalnut Street Garage

Short-Term Impact of Known Future Development on Parking - Southside

• East side of Downtown: retail, restaurant, residential, andindustrialo Net reduction of 264 spaces at peak

• West side of Downtown: office, retail, restaurant, and residentialo Net reduction of 369 spaces at peak



Parking Study Recommendations

Page 12

• Public Parking Supply and Demando Increase the oversell of monthly permits in off-street facilitieso Adjust the mix of monthly vs. transient spaces in off-street facilitieso Adjust the mix of parking meter durations to respond to parking needs/demando Impose on-street parking restrictions and add meters in non-metered areas on

W. 2nd, Columbia, Polk, and E. 3rd streetso Pre-sell event parking in the Mechanic Street parking lots during Musikfesto Develop a plan to manage the impending parking shortfall on the east side of

the southside downtown (e.g. proposed garage on Polk Street)o Bring operational control of the Ruins Lots under the BPAo Implement policies and procedures for licensing paid public parking facilities not

controlled by the BPA/City

• Operationso Increase notifications/information available to public related to impending

system changeso Increase frequency with which the parking garages are cleanedo Ensure directional and wayfinding signage is clear and appropriateo Install informational signage and maps within the BPA’s off-street parking

facilities



Parking Study Recommendations (cont.)

Page 13

• Parking Rates and Fines for Violationso Increase on-street metered parking rateso Increase fines for parking violationso Institute a policy of regular rate increases

• Technologyo Expand use of license plate recognition for enforcemento Expand use of environmentally-friendly technologies in BPA facilities

• Future Capital Repair/Replacement and Development Opportunitieso Demolish and reconstruct the Walnut Street Garageo Establish a capital repair and replacement reserve fundo Explore opportunities to develop the BPA’s surface parking lots

D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N D E G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C TS T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S M A N M E N T T H A N K Y O U A R C H I T E C T S E N G I N E E R S PA R K I N D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S R S E N G I N E R S G R E E N D E S I G N D E S M A N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S D E S M A T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S

U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N P

U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S D E S M A N G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M AD E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S

R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S M A N D E S I G D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N N E R S D E S M A N D E S I GPA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N TA R C H I T E C T S D E S M A N S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S D E S M A N P L A N N E R S D E S MPA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T R E S T O R AT I O N E N G I N E E R S

G R E E N PA R K I N G C O N S U LT I N G D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N P P L A N N E R S A R C H I T E C T S D E S M A N P L A N N E R S PA R K I N G C O N S U LTA N T S D E S I G

D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N N E R S D E S M A N S T R U C T U R A L E N G I N E E R S P L A N D E S M A N A R C H I T E C T S D E S I G N M A N A G E M E N T D E S M A N D E S I G N M A N A G E M

Documents

City of Bethlehem Northside and Southside …...2018/03/21 · • Part5 DraftReport, Public Input, Final Report& Final Presentation Defining the Study Areas • Northside Downtown: