Public parking has been established in the historic Wharf District with the construction of 35-space on-street parking on Wharf Street (completed in November 2001) and the purchase of the one acre parcel for the 324 space garage. Construction will commence (September 2002) of a viable facility to serve businesses, service professionals, restaurants, and the recreational parking needs in the Wharf District.
The Parking Authority continues working with WVU to construct a 600+ vehicle garage at the corner of Willey St. and University Ave. The Authority’s goal to be under construction in 2003, is very real. Negotiations continue and the Authority will have a conceptual drawing completed in a January-February 2002, time line. The Authority is very encouraged with the dialogue with WVU.
CURRENT PROGRAMS & SERVICESTicket Validation Program - On January 1, 2000, the Authority started a new program to validate expired meter tickets with the various business in the Downtown. The new concept was created with Main Street, with no charge to the member business or Main Street. This particular program is quite unique in comparison to other validation programs in other Cities. The plan requires office staff to keep checks on validation requests to insure the rules are followed. For the fiscal year 200-2001 merchants have validated 1,319 meter violations and saved their customers $6,410 in fines.
"This One's On Us" - This program issues a "This One's On Us" instead of an expired meter violation, if the meter has been expired for 10 minutes or less. The Authority has received very positive responses to this project and voted to continue it for another year. A total of 1,432 "This One's On Us" were issued in FY 2000-2001.
Booting Program - In January '99, the Authority Enforcement began using the "Boot" to immobilize vehicles that have accumulated unpaid violations rather than towing as in the past. Aesthetically, the Boot greatly reduced the sight of cars being towed. For fiscal year 2000-2001, the Boot has increased revenue by $22,465 (499 @ $45 each) and reduced the costs to the motorists by 55% by not being towed. Also, time saved waiting for tow trucks and police contents reports has been enormous. However, some towing does occur in cases of unclaimed vehicles to open the space for use.
Parking Survey - An ongoing survey to detail the parking space activity was started on December 1, 1998. The Authority staff has compiled information daily to reflect the use of all Authority maintained facilities from 9 am to midnight. The Authority has developed a unique software program to compile the data that reports influences of seasonal changes, semester sessions, holidays, special promotions, etc. The survey data will be compiled continuously as a tool to determine trends, enforcement, and need for additional programs.
INITIATIVES“Market On High” is a program under development by the Parking Authority in partnership with Main Street Morgantown.
The concept established a special vendor market in the Downtown every Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm, which began June 2001. The Market is designed as an “experience” for continuous promotion of the Downtown and to compliment our merchants.
The Authority provides the promotion, recruitment, and maintenance for the program.
This coming season a “Farmer’s Market” will be added with the help of merchants on Chestnut and Pleasant Streets. They are making application to the W.Va. Dept. of Agriculture for promotion and assistance.
Public Safety Building Garage - The Authority must bond two more parking garages over the next two years. For this to be accomplished, The Authority’s bond council has advised that the Public Safety Building Garage must increase its ability to meet the present bond obligation. Presently, the garage earns only 47% of the revenue needed to pay the bond with the remaining revenues coming from lots and street meters.
This challenge will be dealt with by doing the following:
Investigate the technological advances to improve customer friendly access systems. Such technology exists to grant the customer the use of the garage without the worry of citations and the ability to pay for the actual time used. Also, the business community has the ability to provide free parking for customers with an automated validation system.
Improve space use efficiency that would allow for an increased turnover rate.
The Parking Authority will continue to work with the business community and City Council to improve the garage’s ability to pay its debt obligation.
Signage - - In 2001, the Authority began replacing the lot signs with universal signs identifying available public parking. This undertaking will replace the old and outdated signs on each of the lots and garages. The signs will be using the universal symbol “P” in tastefully done neon. The time limits (2-hr or 10-hr) and an identification of each lot will be displayed for customer’s convenience as a point of reference.
Estimated Cost -$65,000Business Recruitment for Downtown - The Parking Authority Executive Director chairs the Business Recruitment Committee under the Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee. This crucial committee is comprised of business property owners and business owners that are formulating and implementing plans to bring new businesses to the Downtown. The Authority’s role is vital by working with prospective business requirements.
Downtown Merchants Promotion - The Parking Authority voted to fund an extensive marketing and promotion program for the Downtown at a cost of $10,000.
Flowerbeds at the Public Service Building are being maintained in conjunction with the Beautification Commission with funding from MPA. Cost - $1,000
Develop Landscaping in the Wharf District - Authority personnel will be working to clean areas next to Deckers Creek and Don Knotts Boulevard that border new facilities. The Authority will be working with the Beautification Commission for advice and assistance.
EMPLOYEES
The successes of the Parking Authority have been realized by the dedication of the employees. As Morgantown continues the phenomenal growth that it is enjoying, the Parking Authority will retain its philosophy "to remain flexible in the face of change." This flexibility has been defined as the growth and expansion of programs and facilities to accommodate new parking demands. A far greater burden has been placed on employees to meet the challenge.
Staff - The Executive Director is Tom Arnold and he reports directly to the Parking Authority. The Director oversees the operations, employee training, facilities management, public relations, capital improvements, and program development.
The 4 uniformed meter enforcement officers regulate the compliance of the meters, assist customers with any needed information, and provide security for patrons in the lots and garages.
Lot and Garage Maintenance has 2.5 staff members that clean and perform minor repairs to facilities including green space.
1.5 staff members take care of meter repair, collection, and daily bank deposits. They also assist maintenance on certain projects.
In the office there is a Customer Service Representative to give full attention to the walk up patrons and those that telephone their concerns. The Records/Operations manager and the accounting clerk process violations, account for fine collections, process payments, check vehicle registrations, administer the validation program, and send notices. The collection rate for this office is 93% of tickets written.
| REVENUE: FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 | ||||||
| Total Meter Revenue | $ 991,697 | |||||
| Fine Collection | 338,197 | |||||
| Total Revenue | $ 1,329,894 | Investment Balance : $ 1,379,403 | ||||
| Expenditures: | Capital Outlay - Financed by operating income and carryover balance | |||||
| Personnel Services - | $443,005 | |||||
| Contracted Services - | $244,583 | |||||
| Commodities - | $154,605 | Capital Improvements | $ 106,938 | |||
| PSB Garage Payment - | $393,388 | Equip Purchase | $35,974 | |||
| Total Expenditures | $ 1,235,581 | Total | $ 142,912 | |||
| Carryover Balance - $ 94,313 | ||||||
SUMMARY:
As the Parking Authority enters the 21st Century it is properly prepared to confront the difficulties with the lack of parking. The expansion of facilities, programs, and staff is an investment to enable each stakeholder the full opportunity to visit, work, shop, and mutually prosper with the anticipated growth of the community.
Though the Authority is funded entirely by user fees, the program management philosophy enables the Authority to completely support its service obligations to the general public. It is essential that the Authority maintain its ability to work with the entities that responsibly enhance and develop properties and businesses in the Downtown.