The first comprehensive study of parking in downtown Chattanooga since 2004 is getting underway.
The project Is being led by the River City Company and CARTA in partnership with the city of Chattanooga. It is funded by the Lyndhurst and Benwood Foundations along with several downtown stakeholders including Erlanger Health System, UTC and Siskin Hospital.
The study is designed "to provide an understanding of how the downtown parking situation will change over a 10-year period and what forms of action are necessary to support growth while maintaining an adequate and effective parking system."
Study areas include downtown, the Southside and UTC/Erlanger/Siskin.
The final report is expected to be complete in late spring.
Officials said the scope of the study is extensive and includes a full parking supply and demand analysis, current off-street and on-street parking supply and demand, an inventory and distribution of public and private facilities and groups served by these facilities and utilization rates by day and hour for shared-use opportunities. In addition, future parking demand will be analyzed with regard to existing zoning requirements, current and future development, special events that place non-typical strain on parking supply and the identification and evaluation of potential locations for added parking.
Kim White, River City president and CEO, said, "We know that as downtown Chattanooga continues to grow and change, strategic parking solutions will be vital for all who enjoy our city - residents, workers and visitors. But we also know that there are strategic solutions for parking that can be implemented both quickly and in the long-term that can assist in meeting parking needs and that future parking demand will be greatly influenced by things like the rise of car and ride share, public transportation options and the increased residential choices about to be available downtown.
"We want to make sure we are planning for the future and making smart decisions about how limited downtown space is utilized."
Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates was selected from a request for proposals process to complete the study. It is a 130-person transportation firm with offices across the U.S. The firm has completed similar projects in cities like Salem, Mass.; Savannah, Ga.;Monterey, Calif., and Washington, D.C.