Downtown Mobile Parking Management Analysis
Mobile, AL

The study team of Urban Place Consulting Group, Inc. (Steve Gibson) and Downtown Parking & Planning Associates, LLC (Andy Miller, AICP) was requested to perform a Downtown Parking Management Analysis on behalf of the Downtown Mobile Alliance. The purpose of the study was threefold: 1) to identify parking issues and constraints that are serving as barriers to downtown development; 2) to develop recommendations for improvements that will remove those barriers; and 3) to facilitate the development of a final, workable plan with key staff and stakeholders.

Specifically, our scope of work included the
following primary tasks:

Evaluate the Parking System From a
Management and Operations Perspective

Observe and Provide Assessment of the
Current On Street Parking Program

Review Budget and Financial Information
and Provide Assessment

Review and Comment On Previously
Completed Parking Supply and Demand Studies

Perform a Comparable Cities Parking System Analysis

Develop Recommendations for Possible Improvements

Our findings showed that the Downtown Mobile parking system suffered from a historic lack of parking planning, management and leadership. Previous parking studies had been completed, but no action was ever taken by the City to implement changes or to increase the supply of public parking. We were able to demonstrate how parking system revenues have been declining over recent years and the reasons for the declines. Our analysis was also able to demonstrate how the City’s contract with its current parking enforcement vendor was not structured in the best interests of the downtown and was in fact negatively impacting the overall downtown experience. Our parking supply and demand review indicated that parking supply in the core downtown redevelopment area may soon face shortages if efforts are not undertaken soon to plan for and develop addition parking capacity.

As a result of our initial analysis and recommendations, the Downtown Mobile Alliance has formed a Parking and Transportation Committee that has adopted the following mission statement as it partners with the City to address parking in a more pro-active manner. We hope to continue our relationship with the Downtown Mobile Alliance in finalizing a workable parking implementation plan.

Downtown Mobile Alliance Parking and Transportation Mission Statement:

The Alliance’s Parking Mission is to support economic development by developing a downtown parking system that values each customer and provides a positive parking experience in downtown.

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