The Recommended Vision & Policy Framework for Downtown Ann Arbor (pdf), prepared in 2005 by Calthorpe Associates and Strategic Economics, recommended that the City of Ann Arbor create a comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy. This strategy would assess the supply of existing parking spaces and the future demand for residential and commercial parking.
In January 2007, City Council adopted a revised work plan (pdf) for the Comprehensive Parking Strategy project.
City Council appointed the following individuals to the Comprehensive Parking Strategy (Phase II) Advisory Committee on October 3, 2006. The Committee will work with staff to guide the development of a new downtown parking strategy.
Roger Hewitt, Downtown Development Authority
Marcia Higgins, City Council
Evan Pratt, City Planning Commission
Stephen Rapundalo, City Council
Recommendations
On June 18, 2007, City Council approved the recommendations forwarded by the Comprehensive Parking Strategy Advisory Committee.
On September 24, 2007, City Council approved the implementation schedule for downtown parking and transportation recommendations.
Implementation
As of April 2008:
AATA is initiating an express subscription bus service to and from Chelsea, to begin in May.
City staff has been working with the getDowntown program to develop a “Lead by Example” commuter choice plan for City employees based in the downtown.
The DDA has identified action steps for the next 12-18 months toward implementation of the A2D2 recommendations. Highlights include:
Creating commuter options:
Sponsor Zip Car program for downtown employee and resident use
Marketing of overnight/off-peak monthly parking permit to downtown evening workers
Provide parking patrons with more choices:
Study revenue impacts of converting to debit account permit payment system
Investigate AVI card options for hourly patrons
Explore extending meter enforcement into the evening hour
Variable pricing:
Begin installation of pay-by-space parking kiosks
In addition, the DDA recently hired a consultant to begin design of an underground parking structure on the city-owned Library lot to increase the supply of parking available in the Midtown area.
Updated April 17, 2008