Wichita City Council members received an update Tuesday on a plan for downtown parking that has generated opposition from citizens and business owners.

Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the plan was developed because the city has struggled with balancing the costs of operations and maintenance with effective parking management.    He said a 6,800-space system would need over $1.3 million in annual maintenance expenses, but the current parking fund balance would not be enough to provide ongoing repair and maintenance.  Enhancements such as safety, security, cleanliness and beautification would add to the deficit.

The City Council delayed implementation of the parking plan to allow for more community input.  Anderson said there have been several themes that came out of recent public meetings on the parking plan:

 Paid parking could discourage downtown retail activity;
 The existing system is working;
 Businesses cannot afford to pay for parking;
 Employees would be penalized by paid parking; and,
 Maintenance and security for the system needs to be enhanced but not solely through increased
rates.

Anderson said the city is looking at options for addressing the goals of the parking plan and the needs of the public:

 Continuation of existing parking agreements, with rate adjustments to meet operating and
maintenance needs;
 Installation of meters with one hour of free parking and $.75/hour for remaining time;
 Discounted daily rates for downtown employees;
 Sponsorships of on street parking spaces;
 Availability of discounted parking passes (i.e. daily, monthly); and,
 Funding of ongoing maintenance and operating costs by users and capital improvement projects
by the property tax.

Anderson said there are two more opportunities for the public to provide input on the parking plan.  They are scheduled for September 14th and October 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Farm & Art Market.

City staff will continue to gather feedback over the next couple of weeks and they will be back to the City Council in the next 30 to 60 days with a review and recommendations for any proposed changes to the parking plan.

Council members Brandon Johnson and Becky Tuttle said it will be important for the city to move ahead with a management plan for a modernized parking system, with the growth and investment going on in the downtown area.