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Ventura wants to improve downtown parking jam
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More from Local NewsIf you've found yourself circling Main Street in downtown Ventura in search of a parking space, you're not alone.
"That area is always jammed," parking consultant Rick Williams told a gathering of downtown merchants and property owners Thursday, reiterating what many have been saying for years.
Of the 274 parking spaces on Main Street between Ventura Avenue and Chestnut Street, more than 85 percent are full virtually all day, and as many as 93 percent are occupied on Saturday nights, according to a July parking survey.
As a result, the roughly five-block stretch of prime parking in front of shops and eateries has a "deficit" of at least 22 parking stalls, Williams said.
When taking a wider view of downtown, however, an abundance of on- and off-street parking spots exist, many only blocks away. "This is a good sign," Williams said, explaining that parking efficiency could be greatly improved if motorists simply better understood and utilized these other spaces.
Better signs, increased lighting and the opening of private lots to public use all could help, said Williams, who along with Michael Kodama was hired by the city to conduct a comprehensive parking survey.
Downtown merchants and property owners are working with the city to manage the current parking supply and create a plan for handling anticipated demand from looming development.
Those attending Thursday said the survey results were a great start. Some merchants lamented that too many spots are filled all day with commuters' vehicles, and that visitors and employees are reluctant to park off Main Street in some poorly lit pockets of downtown that one property owner described as "practically a subdivision for the homeless."
Results from a second "block-by-block" analysis will be presented in a follow-up meeting next month, city officials said, with a third parking meeting likely to occur in October.
The idea of installing parking meters downtown has been embraced by city leaders to generate money — possibly for building a second downtown parking garage. But where the meters would go, the cost to park and the length of allowable stay have spawned much debate.
Williams told the group Thursday that it has two things to cheer: "available supply" and "only a small area that is in trouble."
Downtown has a total of 1,035 on-street parking spots. About half, 519, are marked for two-hour parking. Sixty-six stalls are marked for 24-minute stays, and roughly 42 percent, 437, have no limitations.
In general, peak hours for demand are between 1 and 2 p.m., and most motorists park for under two hours.
Posted by angrygirl8284 on August 24, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There arent enough disabled parking spots. Many times I have had to walk several blocks while I am physically disabled AND 8 months pregnant.
Posted by otiscampbell on August 24, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All the parking on main street should be removed, the sidewalks widened to allow for more outside eating, the chance to hear more live music. large gatherings of the homeless and beggars will not block the sidewalks and the city could set up and rent out kiosks on an as- needed basis!
The policeman could also ride his horse and have a lot of room.
Nice horse!
Posted by angrygirl8284 on August 24, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just the perfect cure to the problem: Mounties. LOL!
Posted by maxvta2000 on August 24, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I use the 4 story parking garage behind Wild Planet almost daily. The lower two floors are a ghost town since they changed them to 4 hour parking. The next two floors are well used (but not to capacity) by people needing to park longer than 4 hours. This change has worked well!
I am continually dumbfounded by people saying downtown has a parking problem. People are simply lazy and don't want to walk a few blocks, tho it is good for them to do so. Get some exercise! Connect a bit more with your community! Walk!
Posted by sue805 on August 24, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes totally agree with maxvta2000. Under used parking structure. Why? Is it the lack of a security guard or just lazy people . More signs might let out of towners know it is there. There is probably some simple solutions for all. I kinda like the idea posted by isteve too. Open it up. No traffic at all. Park in back of stores. Walk the rest. Nice to hear city is trying to make it better.
Posted by RelaxPeople on August 24, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree w/ widening the sidewalks aswell. There is no parking problems. A few signs might help and it might help if people rode their bikes! Yeah, i know, this is California and people dont walk, oh well.
Posted by scvhardcor on August 24, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I lived downtown for about a year and I think it's more about people getting paniced about walking far or not finding a spot. There is plenty of parking if you pay attention (ie I used to go to Club Hollywood Fitness on Oak and there was always a few sports in the lot across the street and they have no limits).
Posted by shaver_one on August 24, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mounties...hmmmm,
And the city could hire the homeless to walk behind and clean up, after the horses do what horses do.
Posted by RelaxPeople on August 24, 2007 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am all for mounties. It could be our thing.
Posted by alan93001 on August 24, 2007 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
where would the horses sleep at night ?
Posted by angrygirl8284 on August 24, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"where would the horses sleep at night?"
The two floors of the parking structure that no one uses!
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