[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: Parking in CAGID lots Downtown

[cmosupport at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Cowles, Macon

Molly, many thanks for your response. One other set of prices pertinent to downtown parking would be valuable: what is the cost of permits in the NPP’s adjacent to Downtown?

Thanks.

Macon Cowles
Boulder City Council Member
1726 Mapleton Ave.
Boulder, Colorado 80304
CowlesM at bouldercolorado.gov
(303) 638-6884


On Jul 8, 2015, at 6:04 PM, Winter, Molly <WinterM at bouldercolorado.gov> wrote:

Dear Macon:

Please find below a response to your questions posted to the Hotline.  Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Molly Winter

From: "Cowles, Macon" <CowlesM at bouldercolorado.gov>
Date: July 1, 2015 at 5:20:50 PM MDT
To: "Brautigam, Jane" <BrautigamJ at bouldercolorado.gov>
Cc: HOTLINE <HOTLINE at bouldercolorado.gov>
Subject: Parking in CAGID lots Downtown

Dear Jane: 

I would appreciate receiving some information about parking fees in CAGID facilities, compared to competing facilities in the private sector.

Does staff have a schedule setting forth the parking fees that are charged for all parking spaces in, and parking permits for, CAGID lots including both surface and structured parking facilities? It would be helpful to see such a schedule to get an idea of what the City is charging for parking.

2015 Parking Pricing:
Downtown garage permit  $330/qtr
Downtown Lot permit  $200/qtr
Short term parking $1.25/hr for the first 4 hours and $2.50/hr after 4 hours.
Parking information is available at boulderparking.com

https://bouldercolorado.gov/parking-services/downtown-parking-garages

https://bouldercolorado.gov/parking-services/permits-garages-lots

What does Parking Services think that other parking facilities in the downtown area charge for parking spaces and parking permits?   

Staff annually assesses long term parking rates with the private sector rates and makes adjustments in alignment with the market.   Increases not only keep the permit fees competitive, they help offset rising costs associated with maintaining the garages and lots.  The goal for adjustments is to be competitive, yet below the private parking rates.  CAGID must balance the needs of long term employee parking and short term office/retail customers.  Staff monitors occupancy and sells permits and products to  efficiently utilize CAGID resources.

Downtown garage private long term rates in 2015 ranged from $375/qtr – $525/qtr.  CAGID’s proposed rate for 2016 is $350/qtr.  CAGID’ spaces are not reserved, not guaranteed and are shared with the short term parking demand.  Private parking is typically reserved.

Downtown lot private long term rates in 2015 ranged from $210/qtr-$225/qtr.  CAGID’s proposed rate for 2016 is $210/qtr.  CAGID lot permit spaces are not shared with the short term parkers.

All CAGID lots and garages are oversold based on the frequency of permit use and garage demand.

These rate increases will mark 3 consecutive years of permit increases.  In the past, permit rates were increased every other year.  The rate increase since 2014 has risen 28.6% (garages) and 21.9% (lots) to keep step with the rising market rates and demand in downtown boulder.  All of our garages and lots in downtown Boulder have wait lists for long term permits.

What is the thinking for allowing people to park for free in CAGID lots so long as they leave after the attendant leaves at the end of the day? How much in potential fees are lost through this method? Has Parking Services considered charging a flat fee for parking at the time vehicles enter CAGID lots after, say, mid-afternoon? I notice that such a practice is followed in Denver at some of the structured facilities.

Lot attendant staffing in the downtown  garages is scheduled to reflect the parking trends in individual garages.  For example, we have staffing in certain garages that extends to early morning hours on the busiest nights reflecting the higher nighttime utilization in certain areas of downtown.  Staff has not be able to track the lost revenues.   In the past, we have considered charging a flat fee but overall  it did not pencil out  based on utilization patterns and types of users.  We are considering different options in the future. One is the use in certain garages of a “pay on foot machine” only that would require payment to be made regardless of the duration of the visit or time of day. Another option with our upcoming new gate access system is not raising the gates when the lot attendant leaves and having credit card payment upon existing.  The use of any of these payment options would be balanced with the customer service benefits provided by our lot attendants.  

Thanks very much.

Macon Cowles
Boulder City Council Member
1726 Mapleton Ave.
Boulder, Colorado 80304
CowlesM at bouldercolorado.gov
(303) 638-6884