Parking Study Shakes Up Downtown Lexington’s Perception
Downtown Lexington is bustling with activity, but according to a recent study, a surprising green light shines on its parking situation. Frustrated drivers looking for a place to park may be scratching their heads over the findings that most of the area’s parking spots typically sit empty, even during what many consider peak hours.
Study Reveals Unused Spaces
Researchers from Kimley-Horn and Associates took a deep dive into parking patterns in downtown Lexington, examining selected dates throughout the year. This study came after many residents raised concerns about parking shortages. As it turns out, the numbers paint a different picture. Among the 3,300 parking spaces identified downtown, it was found that 41% of public spaces and 29% of private spaces were occupied at midday on a typical weekday. That’s only about a third of all parking spaces filled! On weekends, occupancy dropped even lower, with a max of 20% of public spaces and 11% of private spaces occupied.
Even during special events, when one might expect a frenzy of parking activity, the overall capacity reached only 25% at its peak! The South Church Street lot and the amphitheater lot were the only places that really filled up during events, approaching 85% occupancy. Hmmm, maybe it’s time for a re-think?
Mayor and Town Council Weigh In
During a recent Town Council work session, Mayor Hazel Livingston shared her thoughts. She insisted that a broader analysis was needed, especially as the holiday shopping season rolls in. According to her, “Some didn’t feel like enough dates had been looked at.” She’s hoping for more thorough data to be presented come January.
Councilman Gavin Smith raised a fair point. Out of the three days analyzed, one was right on Labor Day weekend and another coincided with the State Fair. He expressed confusion, saying, “I was baffled by the way this was put together. The average citizen will tell you it’s hard to find parking downtown.” Sounds like there’s a communication gap here!
Understanding the Real Issue
The study was commissioned for $25,000 after parking was highlighted as a key concern by the Lexington Town Council. Town transportation director Randy Edwards stressed that for years, residents believed that there simply was no parking available downtown. “This study aimed to establish a baseline,” he noted.
Interestingly, the findings showed that about two-thirds of the parking spaces analyzed are privately owned. Most public spaces are around the core of downtown, which means that although there are spots available, they might not be easily accessible for visitors and event-goers.
As councilman Smith pointed out, it’s crucial for visitors to have available spaces when attending events, as parking in restaurant and business lots can lead to competition for customers. If the parking gets gobbled up by event attendees, local businesses might suffer!
Accessible Parking Needs Attention
When considering accessibility, about 140 downtown parking spaces are deemed “accessible,” with 30 public spaces available. However, these are often far from key locations, causing challenges for those with mobility issues. Smith has pledged to pay attention to accessible spaces after hearing concerns from neighbors. Interestingly, during events at the amphitheater, some of the ADA-accessible spots become unavailable, which certainly complicates things for those needing them.
What’s Next for Lexington?
As the town continues to gather data, there’s talk about the viability of a parking garage downtown, potentially adding over 100 spaces. Initial locations for consideration include Maiden Lane, West Main, and East Butler streets. According to the study, a parking garage could not only provide more spots but also serve as a magnet for businesses and visitors. Sounds promising, doesn’t it?
However, the study cautioned that any decision to build a parking garage should stem from qualitative feedback rather than existing demand. The voices of the public and their experiences navigating Lexington’s parking landscape need to be prioritized.
Mayor Livingston reinforced that the town will take time to consider all recommendations, stating, “As the town develops, parking is something that definitely needs to be covered.” It seems like Lexington is on the brink of important changes when it comes to parking, and residents will be eager to see what comes next!
