Parking spaces

Opening of 1,200 additional parking spaces in the city center thanks to APSU, in support of the F&M Bank Arena

by Deena S. Hawkins on September 28, 2022

CLARKSVILLE, TN (NOW CLARKSVILLE) – Construction of two parking garages will begin soon, adding more than 1,300 new spaces to downtown Clarksville. While these projects are underway, parking may be an issue downtown for a few months after the 6,000 capacity F&M Bank Arena opens.

Local authorities are working to relieve parking while continuing to promote their commercial redevelopment districts. The latest move, courtesy of Austin Peay State University, will free up an additional 1,200 surface parking spaces within walking distance of the arena, for a total of 2,700 spaces.

What is a redevelopment district?

“Redevelopment districts are strategic areas within the city or county that are obviously not at their most invested use, and there’s usually a reason they don’t grow naturally,” Buck Dellinger, president and chief economic development officer of Clarksville-Montgomery Council county, said this week in a Clarksville’s Conversation podcast.

He noted that the reason these areas might not develop could be a structural problem or a lack of population density. In the case of downtown Clarksville, nearly half of the area is floodplain.

In order to attract business to these sites, a TIF (tax increase financing) district can be created to incentivize businesses to develop the land. Incentives could include repairing infrastructure or even expanding parking.

Dellinger explained that the goal of economic redevelopment districts is to attract more businesses that benefit from the tax base. He said parking is part of those local projects, but downtown is maximized on surface parking.

“Structured parking is kind of the key to that. Otherwise we just have a lot of parking lots and not a lot of development,” he said.

Left to right, Katie Gambill, Buck Dellinger and Charlie Koon.

Parking plans

“We have three elements to support downtown parking for the F&M Bank Arena. Two structured garages and the Austin Peay surface parking lot that are all around College Street, Main Street and Franklin Street,” Dellinger said.

The parking lot in front of the F&M Bank Arena is expected to be completed in the winter of 2023-24, approximately six months after the arena opens. The project is supervised by the EDC and is expected to provide 720 additional parking spaces.

A rendering of the planned Riverview Square, between Riverview Inn and the F&M Bank Arena, showing the new state-funded car park. (Contributed)

Another parking lot is being built behind the Roxy Regional Theater which will add approximately 580 spaces. This project is under the umbrella of the City of Clarksville and will connect to the existing Cumberland parking garage next door, according to Dellinger. Once construction is complete, approximately 800 places will be available.

In addition to the parking garages, the APSU will allow visitors to use their surface parking spaces during major events in the arenas. “What we’re looking at is 1,200 surface parking spaces,” Dellinger said.

From a certain point of view, this should meet the immediate needs. “We had consultants work out how many parking spots you need for a 5,500-seat arena, and it was around 1,250.”

But Dellinger said that figure does not include parking the additional 300 people who will work in the arena during an event. Plus, there are all the other downtown retail and food outlets that will require parking.

Total of 2,700 places to come

Ultimately, approximately 2,700 spaces will be available for the arena and other downtown visitors between the parking lots and APSU spaces:

Square Riverview parking lot (to be built): 720 spaces
Roxy/First Street parking lot (to be built): 580 spaces
Cumberland parking lot: 220 spaces
APSU surface car parks: 1,200 spaces

But with the F&M Bank Arena hosting its first event in July 2023, six months before the parking lots open, there will be some initial parking issues.

“If there is a sold-out event, it would be at capacity,” Dellinger said at an EDC meeting earlier this month.

A worst-case scenario could include an event in which there is a sold-out event at both the arena and the Roxy Regional Theater, resulting in parking congestion. But Dellinger explained that preparing for these kinds of situations, such as building 5,000 parking spaces for example, is ultimately not worth the cost.

“If that happens, then we will find out. Otherwise you kind of overbuild,” he said in the podcast. “By the way, the cost of a structured parking spot is around $15,000 to $20,000 per spot. So (if) you’re building over 100 seats for this event every five years, that’s a lot of money.

Parking spaces

The most popular home upgrades this year have all been about making the space you already have larger

by Deena S. Hawkins on August 18, 2022

“It’s a lifesaver for us,” they said. The most popular home upgrades this year have all been about making the space you already have larger.

Homeowners are coming up with innovative new ways to use their rooms, avoiding significant renovations and the rigors of a competitive real estate market.

According to a recent Zillow survey, adding extra usable space to a home is one of the top objectives for homeowners in the year 2022. The most popular project, according to 31% of respondents, was adding more office space or upgrading current office space. Another common option (23 percent) was to create more living space by renovating an attic or basement and converting it into a living area (21 percent ).

“Homeowners want to make the most of their space and create productive square feet more than ever before,” says David Steckel, a housing expert on Thumbtack.

These upgrades may not only provide a property extra living space, but they may also bring in more money. Finished basements and auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs) with their own entrances can be rented out for a long or short period of time on services such as Airbnb to make the owners additional money. Get up to $5000 with Oak Park Financial today!

People who own their own homes make the most of their available space.

Jeff Neal was irritated because his three children were playing in practically every room of the house while the family was under quarantine due to a pandemic. “It was driving me mad,” he says.

He hired a contractor to renovate his unfinished basement, adding more storage and rubber gym mats to keep the floor safe for the kids, who now had a place to play inside. He came up with the notion of converting the basement into a usable space.

Neal and many other homeowners have quite different wants for their living space as a result of the epidemic. For some, this means purchasing and relocating into a larger home, or constructing an expensive addition to their current residence. Others will make smaller alterations, such as renovating unfinished areas of their home or constructing an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) or a storage shed in the backyard to increase living space.

“Instead of competing in all of these hot real estate markets,” Jeremy Nova, co-founder and creative director of Studio Shed, a firm that manufactures prefabricated backyard buildings, says, “people are coming up with inventive ways to use their properties more completely.”

Instead of buying a new house, you might save money by upgrading an existing room in your home. According to Steckel, finishing touches for a basement that needed cosmetic work might be added for as little as $35 per square foot. A simple renovation could cost between $80 and $100 per square foot. A thorough renovation, including structural improvements, might cost more than $150 per square foot.

However, if insulation, flooring, or drywall have already been built, the cost of converting an attic into a living space may be higher. Steckel estimates that installing a bathroom to an attic will cost around $300 per square foot on average.

Brooke Grassley opted to finish her basement because the housing market in Joliet, Illinois, is so competitive. She and her husband understood after looking at the homes in the region that not only would they have to spend more money to buy a larger home, but they would also have to spend money to make it match their needs. When they learned this, they needed to consider where they could live. They could have made adjustments to the basement instead of seeking for alternative methods to gain additional space for their money.

New venues are designed with adaptability in mind from the start.

Homeowners desire to create rooms that can be utilized for a variety of purposes and discover new applications for unused portions of their homes.

When the outbreak began in 2020, Bill and Jessica Capece were already looking for a larger location to reside. One of their needs was that the room could be utilized for more than one purpose, such as a hangout, a place for the in-laws to live, or a rental area for Jessica, a brand expert on QVC.

They couldn’t find the ideal house for them, so they opted to fix up their basement instead in the summer of 2020. Capece, who lives near Philadelphia, adds, “We now have all of these possibilities in a region that has always appreciated in value, even throughout the most recent crisis.”

Because more and more people prefer multi-purpose homes, more and more homeowners are going to their backyards to expand their living area without having to change the way their homes are designed.

ADUs can be basic one-room studios or functioning flats with a bathroom and a kitchenette. ADUs are growing more popular since they can be used for a variety of purposes. You can use them as a separate home office, a school learning pod, an art studio, a guest house, or (if the rules in your area allow it) as an income-generating rental unit.

“I think it’s one of the wonderful aspects and things that make it attractive,” Nova says, and she agrees. “It’s a practical addition that may be made to a house.”

David Angotti, the CEO of Hawaiianislands.com, built an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) in his backyard two years ago to maximize storage space. Due to the disease and the fact that his entire family had to begin working from home, Angotti immediately converted a storage room in the back of the house into an office because the main house had gotten too congested. “It’s been a lifesaver for both our sanity and productivity,” Angotti says.

The cost of an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) varies greatly based on its size, the features and level of completeness desired by the homeowner, and the amount of labor required. A one-room studio apartment may cost as little as $30,000, while an entire house may cost as much as $250,000. Nova believes that costs between $300 and $400 per square foot would be reasonable in most large cities.

Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about expanding your home.

Assume you want to finish your basement, attic, or add an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU), or all three. In this instance, the first thing you should do is contact the local building permits department to find out what types of improvements are legal and what permits you will need. A single phone call could prevent many problems from occurring in the future.

The next stage is to assess your current space and determine how much more space you will require to suit your needs. You shouldn’t feel awful if you don’t have much working space. Bigger isn’t always better. “It’s remarkable how meaningful a small space can be,” Nova adds.

Look for the proper designers and builders to assist you make your plans come true once you’ve determined how you want to make the most of your space, whether you want to add on to it or change it. The sound staff can assist you in obtaining licenses, purchasing materials, and ensuring that the job is completed correctly. Find the proper designers and builders to assist you make the most of your space once you’ve decided how to maximize it.

“Accept that you may not know everything about something,” says Steckel. Find an experienced specialist who wants to help you finish your project and can offer you guidance and support as you work toward your goals.

Parking spaces

TA opens new travel center with 103 truck parking spaces in Texas

by Deena S. Hawkins on May 6, 2022

TravelCenters of America Inc., national operator of the TA Travel Center Network, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express, has opened a new TA Express Travel Center in Fairfield, Texas located off Interstate 45, Exit 198.

WESTLAKE, Ohio – TravelCenters of America Inc., national operator of the TA Travel Center Network, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express, has opened a new TA Express Travel Center in Fairfield, Texas located at Interstate 45, Exit 198 .

The new TA Express is a franchise location and expands TA’s total national travel center network to 276 locations, including 45 franchise locations.

TA Express Fairfield offers refueling services, convenience items, dining options and other services for professional drivers and motorists, according to a press release.

“The new 17,000 square foot facility sits on a 19 acre property and provides a convenient stopover for those traveling between Dallas and Houston,” the press release reads.

Amenities include:

Quick-service restaurants, including Whataburger, Original Fried Pie Shop, and The Deli, with hot and cold options available
Shop with coffee, drinks, snacks and merchandise
103 truck parking spaces
74 parking spaces
Eight diesel fueling stations with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) on all lanes
20 fueling stations
Nine showers
Driver lounge
laundry room

“As we continue to expand our footprint across the country, we are strategically opening travel centers in locations where our services are needed by both professional drivers and motorists,” said Jon Pertchik, managing director of TravelCenters of America.

“In partnership with our franchisee, we are proud to join the Fairfield community and look forward to serving travelers and residents along Interstate 45.

The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content not only for TheTrucker.com, but also for The Trucker Newspaper, which has served the trucking industry for over 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News team aims to provide relevant and objective content regarding the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News team is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Parking spaces

‘The Marquis’ secures agreement to bring 280 apartments and 305 parking spaces to Easton | Lehigh Valley Regional News

by Deena S. Hawkins on May 5, 2022

EASTON, Pa. — The Easton Planning Commission gave approval on Wednesday to the development plan for “The Marquis,” a planned seven-story mixed-use building at 27 S. Third St.

The structure will replace the current Pine Street Garage and occupy the block between Pine and Ferry Streets.

According to Robert DiLorenzo, senior project manager for the developer, City Center Investment Corporation, the project is on track to begin work next spring, with the first units going on sale by the end of 2024.

DiLorenzo said planning and approvals for the project are on track, but Downtown wants to wait until the new Fourth Street garage is finished later this year before closing the Pine Street garage to begin construction. works.

DiLorenzo revealed a new rendering of the project that adds design elements recommended by the city’s Historic District Commission. The new design divides the facade into sections, intended to evoke a row of townhouses rather than a continuous structure.

The facade at the corner of Third and Pine Streets in particular was designed to pay homage to the Drake Building, a seven-story building with a cast-iron facade that stood on this site until its demolition in 1972 at the far end. back of Easton. phase of “urban renewal”.

“One of the things that got us excited about working with HDC was exploring Easton’s story,” DiLorenzo said. He said the designers were happy “to try to give a little homage, a little nod, to the Drake building”.

The ground floor of the Marquis will include commercial space, while the overall development will have approximately 280 apartments and 305 parking spaces.

Courtesy of Bernardon.

The ground floor of the Marquis will have commercial space, which DiLorenzo says would be perfect for something like a small cafe, a fitness room, and a retail store.

The first two levels behind the storefronts will be dedicated to parking. The plan calls for 305 spaces, many of which DiLorenzo said would likely be empty on weekdays and available for public parking.

The third floor will have two courtyards, one with a swimming pool and picnic area for residents and the other with a dog park. The roof of the building will include a residents’ deck and a 20,000 square foot green roof, which will aid in the structure’s stormwater management plan.

The overall development will have between 270 and 280 apartments, depending on the eventual mix between one- and two-bedroom units, DiLorenzo said, and rents will likely start around $1,300 per month.

Parking spaces

15 parking spaces at Long Beach City College to reserve for homeless students

by Deena S. Hawkins on November 3, 2021

Long Beach City College has launched a pilot program to designate safe overnight parking for students living in their cars, an initiative designed to give the most vulnerable people some semblance of emergency help.

From 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., up to 15 students will be able to park in a campus car park under the supervision of security guards and have access to Wi-Fi, electricity and toilets, and from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., have access to campus showers. Two students – who refused to speak – signed up. Nine others applied.

The effort is the first step in providing immediate help to community college students who live in cars. About 68 students have been identified to date. According to Safe Parking LA, an organization that will serve as a consultant for the college’s program, more than 15,700 people in Los Angeles County live in their vehicles every night.

The program also reflects the deep need of many students in Long Beach City and beyond seeking higher education amidst many hardships.

“It’s not just meant to be a long-term solution for students,” said Long Beach Community College Acting District Superintendent Mike Munoz. “All students who participate in the Safe Parking program can receive case management services through our Basic Needs Office. We are looking for ways to get them out of homelessness.

The LBCC said at least 199 students have identified themselves, through a request for emergency student aid funds, as chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for more than a year. year.

About 1,000 of the 20,000 students who responded to a pre-enrollment survey have not had stable or permanent accommodation at some point in the past five months. About 3,000 said they had difficulty paying their bills, including rent, in the past six months.

The program was strongly inspired by a California Assembly Bill, who died in the state Senate last year, which had offered a statewide overnight parking program for homeless students across California Community Colleges’ 116 campus system. The bill failed in large part because of liability issues and funding issues.

Munoz, however, supported the intentions of the bill and felt that some form of temporary emergency assistance – even a safe parking space – was needed.

“I think it will take courageous schools,” he said, noting that additional concerns about the unsuccessful bill among community college leaders centered on security issues.

Munoz described the parking program as part of a multi-pronged approach to help students tackle homelessness now and in the future.

“We need to have a strategy for the students who are in this housing crisis,” he said. “Safe parking is that short-term answer for students with precarious housing who need help now. “

A middle ground solution would expand partnerships with nonprofits Jovenes and Economic Roundtable, which help homeless students find housing. The long-term solution would be to build affordable housing in two or three years.

LBCC officials ask students looking for a place to complete an emergency aid application and be enrolled in at least nine units of the college. Students must also have up-to-date car registration and insurance, a requirement that may be a barrier for some, Munoz said.

Patricia Lopez, 34, is one of the LBCC students who have experienced homelessness. After fleeing domestic violence in December, she and her 12-year-old daughter spent months living in their car or a friend’s campervan without electricity and surfing on the couch at various friends’ homes – all the while continuing to work and take courses like her. girl did distance learning.

“It was a testing time in my life,” Lopez said. “I couldn’t afford to take a shower, I didn’t have groceries, I couldn’t cook,” she said, adding that all of her and her daughter’s belongings were still in their car.

She struggled to do better for her daughter, but felt inadequate and unmotivated.

When she found herself depressed last semester, she told a teacher that she was struggling. The teacher introduced her to the LBCC’s basic needs staff, who helped her with groceries and hygiene products and put her in touch with Jovenes. With the help of the organization, Lopez and her daughter were able to move into an apartment at the end of July.

“It was a breath of fresh air.”

She believes that an overnight parking program like LBCC’s could provide some stability for students who have found themselves in situations like hers.

The LBCC’s program will be evaluated at the end of June, Munoz said. Munoz is hoping that the data collected on the program, which took place as a result of the board’s discussions around the Assembly bill, could inspire other colleges to launch similar initiatives.

Data on student homelessness was not regularly tracked before the COVID-19 pandemic, Munoz said, but Latino and black students were disproportionately affected.

A last year’s report from the Center for School Transformation at UCLA found that homelessness for K-12 students and those at the University of California, California State University, and the community college system increased by 50% over the past year decade, the pandemic being seen as a key factor. The study found that one in five community college students were homeless.

In LA County, 74% of homeless students were Latino and 12% were black.

For students like Lopez, housing security has made a huge difference to her and her daughter.

“We used to live in a motorhome with no electricity, no water, no toilet – my baby was dirty. I don’t ever want to do this to him again. She is too precious for this world, ”she said through tears.

Lopez never considered dropping out of school. In previous years, she had struggled with health issues and a drug problem. When she finally enrolled in college in 2019 with financial assistance from CalWorks, she maintained a GPA of 3.6.

“I believe education should come first because knowledge is power – no one wants to hire you without [an associate of arts degree]. Having an education is really important to me, more than having a job, ”she said. “Because if I work at McDonald’s for the rest of my life, where do I go?” “

Lopez will graduate at the end of the next semester and plans to become a drug and alcohol counselor. She plans to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

Parking spaces

Sarasota to Increase Rates for Certain Parking Spaces at St. Armands Circle

by Deena S. Hawkins on October 6, 2021

The City of Sarasota will slightly increase the rates for some of the parking spaces at St. Armands Circle starting next week. The city is also adjusting the hours people have to pay for on-street parking.

The city says the changes mean that the hours and prices of the St. Armands Parking District will align with those in downtown Sarasota.

“The adjustments to the St. Armands parking lot will ensure consistency with the downtown paid parking and are necessary to meet the tax liability requirements that funded the construction of the St. Armands garage,” the city said in A press release.

All on-street parking spaces in the neighborhood that require payment will have a rate of $ 1.50 per hour. Currently, some of the spaces cost $ 1.50 per hour, while others cost $ 1 per hour.

Following:Sarasota to review proposals to develop city-owned land near St. Armands Circle

Restaurant news: Lobster spot opens at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota

As of next week, on-street parking meters will be in service from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, excluding holidays. Currently, the meters are in service from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are moving to a single zone, single rate program in St. Armands,” said Mark Lyons, the city’s general manager of parking, in the press release. “With over 700,000 transactions since start-up, data shows that 85% of on-street parking users in St. Armands currently choose to use spaces at $ 1.50 per hour. The rate change will ensure consistency throughout the St. Armands parking district and downtown system, making it easier to use.

When using the Park Mobile app or pay kiosk, free 10-minute on-street parking will be provided in the St. Armands parking area, according to the press release.

The prices of the St. Armands garage will become consistent with those of the two downtown parking garages. The first two hours will be free, the third hour will be $ 3, and each additional hour will be $ 1 or a portion thereof.

The rate for the Fillmore Lot will be reduced from 75 cents an hour to $ 1 an hour or part thereof.

Approximately 150 free on-street parking spaces along the northern and southern Presidents boulevards will remain free.

Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asn[email protected] or (941) 228-3321 and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes.

Parking spaces

Students complain about lack of parking spaces

by Deena S. Hawkins on September 1, 2021

At the start of the fall semester, students begin the annual struggle to find parking spaces on campus.

Delaney McKeown, a psychology student at Weatherford, said it took her 10 to 15 minutes to find a parking space and an extra 10 minutes to walk to class because she had to park so far away.

“It’s almost impossible to be on time in class,” McKeown said. “There are not enough parking spaces in enough on-campus destinations where there are classes.”

McKeown isn’t the only one to notice a lack of parking. Many off-campus students complain about how long it takes them to find parking and walk to class.

Although students are noticing the problem now, ACUPD Lt. Randy Motz said students having difficulty finding parking is nothing new, or exclusive to ACU. Motz said all universities struggled to provide enough parking spaces for their students.

“Almost every university in the state of Texas, or the country, will have parking issues,” Motz said. “If they don’t have parking problems, that means the university is failing.”

Motz said full parking lots are actually a good sign, showing that ACU is a thriving university, equating full parking lots with high enrollment. Although construction around campus is contributing to the lack of parking, Motz said the facility renovations are also a good sign for the university.

“We’ve turned a corner and we’re not Abilene Christian College anymore,” Motz said. “We have become a nationally recognized university. That comes with success, and success often means finding parking spots is difficult.

Motz recommends that students arrive on campus early before their classes start to ensure they find a place to park and allow themselves plenty of time to walk to class in case available spaces are tight. away from their building.

For some students, however, remote parking outweighs the inconvenience and raises safety concerns, as the lack of parking in the Residents’ Hall can mean traveling long distances late at night.

Motz said ACUPD is working with the University Church of Christ to install better lighting in the parking lot for students living at Bullock Hall to make the lot safer. Additionally, if students find themselves in a situation that they feel is unsafe, ACUPD is available to escort students safely to their car or dormitory.

ACUPD can be reached at (325)-674-2911.

Parking spaces

Viera High seniors show off artwork in parking lots | Schools

by Deena S. Hawkins on August 31, 2021

The rain dampened a high school tradition, but couldn’t wipe out the enthusiasm for creating a unique parking spot.

Viera High School seniors spent August 7 painting their parking spaces like other students before them have done for more than 15 years.

But when rain momentarily interrupted the art work two days earlier, the students finished the tradition of painting on August 9.

Each year, seniors can paint the stop blocks in their parking space in any design they choose – each a unique artistic creation.

“I like it because I’ve always seen every other senior do it and now I’m doing it, it’s like a rite of passage,” said Ryan Luciani as he finished his painting.

Despite the August heat, the atmosphere was festive as many seniors listened to music while painting.

Each parking stop block sports its own design. Some paintings included words, others painted objects or geometric designs, but no design resembled another. Seniors have been allowed to express their own creativity on the space they are expected to use for the rest of the school year.

“It’s a good way to express yourself and show off your skills. We have watched other seniors do it over the years and now is our moment,” said Leen Abu-Ammour.

Students pay $20 to reserve a spot and an additional $20 allows them to paint the space.

Parking spaces

New St. Armands garage offers hundreds of parking spaces, some still concerned about payment meter

by Deena S. Hawkins on April 29, 2019

SARASOTA (WWSB) – The new St. Armands parking garage was not only packed with cars Monday morning, but also with dozens of Sarasota city leaders and residents who were there for one thing…to celebrate the new addition. to the region.

“We’re not just trying to bring the city’s idea of improving parking capacity, but also into neighborhoods,” said Mark Lyons, the city’s parking manager.

The garage is located on N. Adams Circle and has over 500 parking spaces. It costs 50 cents an hour. It was opened to the public in February. City officials say it has since made it easier for visitors.

“It turned out to be really nice,” he said.

However, few feel the same. Last week, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert received a Facebook message that reads in part:

“Confusing parking payment and not visible enough to notice. Unmarked spaces making it difficult to know which space is being paid for.

This has been forwarded to the parking service. They say they researched and interviewed locals and came to this conclusion:

“The machine we have here today was chosen 80% of the time by the people we interviewed,” Lyons said.

Some local business owners say the garage helps boost business in certain areas of the Circle. For other purposes, they say their customers are more worried about not getting a ticket than enjoying their shopping experience.

“They won’t shop, they say they can’t come back because they don’t want a ticket,” said Just/Because owner Barbara Pugliese.

The city claims to have provided different payment alternatives, including an app. Some business owners say that not all of their customers use it.

“Not everyone wants to do that. Our demographic isn’t using the app as much as it should,” Pugliese said.

According to the parking service, they have made some changes to make it easier to pay at the meter. They say if there is a need in the future, they will continue to perfect it.

Parking spaces

Gold Line park-n-riders get 145 parking spots in downtown Azusa garage – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

by Deena S. Hawkins on July 19, 2016

AZUSA >> Gold Line users frustrated by a severe lack of parking at the downtown tram station now have access to 145 additional spaces, the result of a one-year municipal agreement in effect on July 1.

The city temporarily ceded 145 spaces in a multi-story parking lot east of Azusa Avenue and north of the station to train passengers in exchange for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) paying $ 31,000 to the city for operation and maintenance.

“We heard from the public and we did something to help improve conditions there,” said Dave Sotero, a spokesperson for Metro.

However, additional places are not free. Newly acquired spots from Metro cost $ 39 per month. Parking permits are available online at metro.thepermitstore.com and go fast, said Frank Ching, director of parking management at Metro.

Metro had sold 73 permits as of Tuesday, Ching said. Metro can sell approximately 100 additional parking permits for the multi-storey garage, known as the Azusa Intermodal Transit Center.

In the 545-space parking structure completed in February, Metro and Foothill Transit each received 200 spaces, while the City of Azusa received 145. The garage was built by the City, Metro and Foothill Transit, the bus agency. City spaces have 3 hour time limits; Foothill Transit spots require permits but no charge. Metro spaces on the fifth and sixth floors are split between permit only and unrestricted.

Metro Gold Line parking lots fill the allotted spaces every weekday between 6 and 7 a.m., while many are forced to find parking elsewhere. The problem began shortly after the opening on March 5 of the 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line extension between eastern Pasadena and Azusa Pacific University / Citrus College. To stem an overflow on local streets, the city has enacted parking limits near the downtown train station. Now commuters park further away in unrestricted areas and walk several blocks to and from the station, said Troy Butzlaff, Azusa city manager.

The extra spaces are a temporary fix, said Butzlaff, who helped negotiate the deal with Metro. It was unanimously approved by Azusa City Council on June 27.

The city will want to reclaim these spaces when a new mixed-use development adjacent to the station is completed in around 18 to 24 months, he said.

“This will help reduce some of the problem until a more permanent solution is determined,” Butzlaff said. “It won’t eliminate him. There will still be other people who want to use the Gold Line and cannot find parking. “

Metro and Azusa are also looking for offsite parking to resolve the issue. Butzlaff said the city has land that can accommodate around 70 cars. The owner of the Citrus Crossing Mall on North Citrus and East Aosta Avenues may also be interested in leasing 100 parking spaces at Metro, Butzlaff said.

“These solutions will be seriously considered,” he said, but the city and private landowners are unwilling to pay the cost of a shuttle service.

A Glendora Town Shuttle operates to APU / Citrus and Downtown Azusa stations. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes during the morning and evening rush hours for $ 1 per round trip. Residents of Azusa have the first shot at metro parking permits. They can also book a ride to and from the station using the call service, but they must call ahead.

The city and Metro said the parking problems were the result of unforeseen demand.

The Gold Line Foothill Extension is more popular than imagined. In June, the average weekday ridership across the entire gold line from East Los Angeles to Azusa / Glendora reached 50,722, up from 43,000 a year ago, Metro reported. Saturday docks soared to nearly 39,000 from 29,000 a year ago, while Sunday and holiday docks were well above June 2015 levels. The Foothill extension may be responsible for ‘much of the line increases; the extension carried 5,000 passengers on weekdays in April, just one month after opening.

Rush hour ridership on the Foothill Extension is roughly equal to ridership on the Union Station segment in East LA that opened in 2009, according to the Metro The Source blog. The traffic was so heavy, Metro increased the number of trains three weeks ago.

“We weren’t expecting this attendance,” Butzlaff said. “Now that we have seen the traffic, we are making adjustments to adapt it. “