Downtown Lexington Has More Parking Than Drivers Think
Frustrated drivers maneuvering through the hustle and bustle of downtown Lexington might be surprised to learn that there are actually plenty of parking spots available! A recent study conducted by the research firm Kimley-Horn and Associates has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, many of the area’s 3,300 parking spaces are sitting empty for most of the day. This head-turning information was presented to the Lexington Town Council in a work session earlier this week.
Surprising Statistics
The study, which looked at parking usage on selected dates this year, found that even during peak daytime hours, a good portion of parking spaces remain unused. For instance, at midday on a weekday, only about 41% of public spaces and 29% of private spaces were occupied. That means, overall, less than one-third of parking spots were filled! The trend gets even more striking on weekends, where occupancy barely hit 20% for public spaces and dipped to just 11% for private spaces. Even during special events, parking spaces barely approached capacity.
It was noted that the only time parking lots really got crowded was in the amphitheater lot and the South Church Street lot during events, where occupancy peaked above 85%.
Time for More Research?
The Mayor of Lexington, Hazel Livingston, pointed out that the study was limited and pending further action. “Some didn’t feel like enough dates had been looked at,” she said. To shed more light on the issue, she called for a more comprehensive study of parking patterns, especially as the busy holiday season is approaching. Plans are underway to collect more data in January to better understand this surprising parking situation.
Councilman Gavin Smith expressed his confusion over the initial study’s limited scope. He pointed out that one of the studied dates fell on Labor Day weekend, and another coincided with the State Fair. “The average citizen will tell you it’s hard to find parking downtown,” he shared, echoing the concerns many have felt when trying to find a spot to park in this vibrant area.
Putting Together the Puzzle
Randy Edwards, the town’s transportation director, explained that the study aimed to create a baseline understanding of parking availability in the downtown corridor, a need that has been voiced for many years. The researchers utilized drone footage to observe parking patterns throughout the day, providing a wider perspective of the situation. Notably, it turns out that about two-thirds of the studied parking is privately owned, primarily around local businesses and churches.
However, could this situation be leading to unintended consequences? Smith raised a valid point: “People looking for fun might be parking in areas where spots are meant for customers of local businesses, leading to lost revenue for those establishments.”
Accessibility Matters
Additionally, the study revealed that out of around 140 downtown parking spaces rated as “accessible,” only about 2.5% are public, slightly better than the industry standard. With many accessible spaces located downhill from the center, those with mobility issues face challenges navigating the area. Smith emphasized this after hearing feedback from a neighbor who struggled to find accessible routes.
Looking Ahead
To remedy the parking situation, the research team suggested the idea of building a parking garage, which could create more than 100 additional spaces for public use. They proposed possible locations on Maiden Lane, West Main, or East Butler streets and emphasized that such facilities could drive economic development, attracting even more visitors and potential businesses to the area.
In the words of the study: “While quantitative data suggests parking demand is manageable, qualitative feedback from residents and visitors suggests that proximate parking is a challenge…” So, it appears that while parking might statistically be available, the experience of searching for that perfect spot tells a different story altogether.
Mayor Livingston has also indicated that the town is open to evaluating the recommendations from this study once the additional data is collected. As she aptly put it, “As the town develops, parking is something that definitely needs to be covered.” In the coming months, it will be interesting to see how these findings unfold and what steps will be taken to address parking in downtown Lexington!
