As we're well aware of the Friends of Unfair Park's thoughts on parking in downtown Dallas, we attended yesterday's meeting of the council's Transportation and Environment Committee, drawn like moths to the Downtown Dallas Parking Strategic Plan
presentation on the agenda. And Chris Beynon, the familiar face of MIG and chief proselytizer for the Downtown Dallas 360 plan, presented it with such vigor it felt quite ... important, let's say. Exciting, even.
He presented a "dynamic flexible model" of parking in downtown Dallas with "dynamic pricing" as part of the "action oriented framework" of the 360 plan. Council members' eyes twinkled and teared up at the thought of parking downtown without trying to find a parking garage or scrounging under the mat for a fallen quarter ... or several dollars' worth, even for a brief stay.
"This really is an exciting plan in my opinion," said Linda Koop, the committee's chair. Alas: It was all sizzle. Specifics remain sparse.
"Today we wanted to
give you a broad overview," said Theresa O'Donnell, director of
Sustainable Development and Construction. The
overview consisted of such items as iPhone apps that would help locate vacant spaces,
parking with pricing according to time of day and availability and the
possibility of waiving parking tickets for first-time offenders.
The study identified that downtown parking has a bigger problem with
accessibility than availability. Generally, there is sufficient parking,
but utilizing it can be a confusing, cumbersome experience (in case you
haven't noticed). Clear signage for available parking is another part
of the overall plan. Then there's the long-shot possibility of ditching meters entirely.
The Downtown Dallas Parking Strategic Plan, as you'll no doubt recall, was developed as an outgrowth
from the 360 plan as parking became an increasingly more vexing issue at
city meetings. "Any vibrant city must have a vibrant downtown, and this
is certainly part of that," council member Vonciel Jones Hill said at
yesterday's briefing. Beynon stressed the connection between parking
development and economic development. He said that if parking needs are
met conveniently, people will utilize businesses downtown, and spend
more time and money in the area.
John Crawford, CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., told Unfair Park Monday afternoon that
while it won't all happen tomorrow, it will take place gradually over the
course of several years.
"I have to say that many people think that
parking is more of an impediment than an amenity to downtown, and that's
what we're trying to change," Crawford said. With that, the plan also
mentions the possibility of an "18-month initial parking program
advertising campaign to change perceptions."
