New parking meter technology, rates, hours and locations discussed
The City continued its public dialogue regarding its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to consolidate the management of government-owned parking garages, lots and meters this evening at the Athenaeum in Downtown Indianapolis. In the first comprehensive review of Indianapolis’ government-owned parking assets, representatives from Mayor Greg Ballard’s office discussed opportunities for new multi-space meter technology with alternative payment options such as credit card, debit card or cell phone technology, in addition to parking garage and lot management contracts and the future of meter rates, hours and locations.
“Our goal is to upgrade our city’s aging and outdated parking meters with modernized parking meter technology and streamline fragmented government-owned parking garage and lot contracts,” said Michael Huber, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. “Creating a system with accessible parking will allow Downtown Indianapolis and Broad Ripple to continue to grow as thriving districts and continue to be attractive locations for new merchants and businesses. As this process continues, it is important that we continue to gather input from the public as we work to ensure the best plan for both citizens and local businesses is reached.”
Currently, the City oversees more than 15,000 parking spaces including metered spaces, surface lots and garages. By streamlining the contracts of multiple government-owned garages and lots into one contract, the City will provide savings to taxpayers while creating a more efficient parking system. In addition to taxpayer savings, the process provides an opportunity to create additional dollars to invest in the improvement of Downtown and Broad Ripple roads, sidewalks, bridges and other infrastructure through the parking meter transaction.
During the meeting, City officials shared a plan to potentially increase meter rates and hours. Parking rates and hours must be addressed to improve the parking system and ensure meter turnover. Currently meter rates are $0.75 per hour and have not been increased since 1975. Because of this, possible meter rate structures being considered range from $1 to $1.50 per hour. These potential rates were formulated by referencing parking analysis completed by Indianapolis Downtown Inc. and Walker Parking Consultants. The City-County Council would maintain oversight on any changes to locations, hours and rates under the current negotiations.
Once the City concludes the RFQ process and selects a winning bid, the City-County Council will review the proposal and must approve the contract.
For more information about the public parking system initiative and to fill out our parking survey, visit www.indy.gov/parking.
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