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CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE II RICH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. – PARKING CONSULTANTS www.parkingdesign.com What are the numbers of parking spaces required in downtown Charlottesville? In determining the number of spaces required for the level of activity present in downtown Charlottesville, Rich and Associates employed two primary methods of analysis. The first method utilized, required a complete inventory of the buildings in the downtown and the uses present in those buildings. This information was then used to calculate a parking space demand for each individual use within each building. The demands were then summed to reveal a block-by-block demand, which was then further expanded to reveal a zone-by-zone demand. The second method used in determining demand, is the result of the turnover and occupancy studies that were undertaken. Essentially, we calculated a raw demand based on parking use and occupancy in the downtown. This demand was then factored to take into consideration occupancy of both on-street and off-street parking, as well as the turnover that was observed in key areas of the downtown. The demand was then further refined by including the economic effects of the cost of supply and the consumer’s propensity to park further from their destination due to cost and length of stay. Our conclusion from this modeling was that there is an overall current deficit of 4,656 parking spaces. This deficit grows over the ten-year projection to be 10,428 parking stalls. An important point to remember when looking at these deficit factors is that these are demand numbers, assuming free parking with minimum walking distance between parking stall and destination. The actual needed number of stalls can be reduced from this demand number depending on supply location and the price of parking. As the price goes up more people are willing to walk further. A need number is projected for new parking recommendations in section 8. When examining the overall parking and considering potential recommendations, the starting point is the demand number. The alternative of not providing more parking in downtown Charlottesville is an option available to the City. However, this choice will have the repercussion of stifling further economic development and tourism initiatives. When considering economic development, parking is one of the most important considerations. The choice not to provide new parking could ultimately result in the degradation of Charlottesville’s downtown area. Some small business owners indicated that the costs associated with providing parking for staff and customers were exceeding the benefits they associated with being located on the pedestrian mall. Where should new parking be provided in downtown Charlottesville? After examining the demand aspects of each zone and taking into consideration the effects of seasonality, we concluded that the Court Square Area should be the primary target of additional supply. By addressing the needs of this area, we can simultaneously address the needs of the Main Downtown. Although the recommended supply locations are not specified, we feel that new parking should be located along the perimeter of the Court Square demand area. The reason for not recommending specific sites at this time is to allow for the City to be able to approach landowners regarding the potential acquisition of their property for new parking. A separate addendum to this study will be issued once decisions regarding potential sites have been finalized.