Parking

Parking

The downtown must have adequate, convenient and attractive parking areas to remain vital and competitive. Parking improvements can make the downtown more accessible and convenient for shoppers, but alone cannot compensate for other downtown deficiencies.Parking areas can have a significant affect on the appearance of downtown. Good design, convenient location and attractive surroundings are equally essential in the development of downtown parking facilities.

Each of these ingredients will help to improve the overall quality of the parking areas and the downtown as a whole. The principal ingredient in improving parking areas is landscaping. Natural features, trees, shrubs and green spaces will soften, screen and make surface parking more attractive. Lighting and signs are additional design factors that should be considered in the development of parking downtown.

Guidelines:

The perimeter of parking lots should be landscaped to reduce the apparent size of the lot and restrict undesirable, open views of concrete, asphalt and vehicles.
Interiors of parking lots should be landscaped to provide shade and visual relief. Such landscaping should be coordinated with pedestrian walkways leading to stores, offices and residences.
Construction and plant materials used in parking areas should be compatible with the street furniture and existing buildings.
Plantings should be protected to avoid damage from vehicles and pedestrians.
Parking lots should be illuminated at night to provide safe environments.
Signs locating parking lots should be kept simple and posted in obvious places.
Parking lot spaces for the handicapped shall be provided as close as possible to the sidewalks.
On-street parking for the handicapped should be located as close as possible to the corners.
Designated motorcycle and moped parking should be accommodated in each parking lot and each block downtown.
Designated bicycle parking should be provided as close to the retail activity as possible.