Lexington’s Parking Problem: A Surprising Study Reveals Plenty of Spaces
Frustrated drivers in downtown Lexington may want to buckle up, as a recent study has uncovered some surprising news about parking availability in the area. It turns out that many of the parking spaces in the heart of the city are actually underutilized, even during peak times.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Researchers from Kimley-Horn and Associates discovered that out of approximately 3,300 identified parking spaces in downtown Lexington, a significant number go unused throughout the day. During a work session on Monday, members of the town council heard that, even at the busiest times, less than half of the parking spaces are occupied. On a typical weekday at noon, only around 41% of public spaces and 29% of private spaces were filled. That’s only about a third of all available parking!
But it gets even better—or worse, depending on who you ask. On weekends, things were even quieter, with no more than 20% of public spaces and just 11% of private spaces occupied. And when special events occurred? Still not a full house, with capacity hovering around just a quarter of all available spaces. The amphitheater lot and South Church Street lot near Virginia Hylton were the only places to nearly hit capacity, reaching 85% occupancy during events.
A Closer Look at Parking Patterns
To get to the bottom of this mystery, the study looked at parking habits on a few different days: Wednesday, August 28; Saturday, August 31; and the evening of Wednesday, October 10, coinciding with an event downtown. Mayor Hazel Livingston has indicated that the town intends to conduct a broader study as we approach the holiday shopping season, aiming for more conclusive data to understand parking patterns in the downtown area.
“Some didn’t feel like enough dates had been looked at,” Mayor Livingston stated. “We’ve asked for more data, more than the few days that were done.”
Addressing the Parking Perception
One council member, Gavin Smith, expressed confusion over the selected dates. “I was baffled by the way this was put together,” he said, comparing the study’s findings to what the average person experiences when looking for parking downtown.
Randy Edwards, the town’s transportation director, shared that the $25,000 study was initiated in response to the ongoing perception that parking troubles abound in downtown Lexington. “For years, people have made the assumption that parking is not available downtown,” Edwards said. With this study, they set out to discover the real situation.
Accessible Parking and Concerns
Accessible parking continues to be a pressing issue in the city. Out of about 140 downtown parking spaces rated as “accessible,” only 30 are public spaces—representing about 2.5% of total spaces, slightly above the industry standard. Unfortunately, many of these accessible spots are at a lower elevation than the rest of downtown, creating complications for those with mobility challenges.
Smith noted that parking lots often close for events at the Icehouse Amphitheater, removing crucial ADA-accessible spaces. “The next closest accessible spots are at town hall, which sits 700 feet away and 30 feet lower in elevation,” he explained.
Future Solutions on the Table
The study did suggest several potential solutions, including the possibility of constructing a parking garage in the downtown area. Recommendations for locations included Maiden Lane, West Main, or East Butler streets—each of which could offer over 100 additional parking spaces. Town officials are also pondering partnerships with private lot owners to widen accessibility.
While the study led to some jaw-dropping revelations about parking availability, it acknowledged that, although data suggests that parking demand is manageable, residents and visitors feel differently. The subjective experience of parking scarcity continues to be a challenge that limits the downtown area’s vitality. The final conclusions and recommendations will be presented in January, as the council considers the data moving forward.
As town officials await revised findings, it’s clear that finding a parking spot in downtown Lexington may be less of a challenge than many believe. And perhaps, with the right changes, this beloved area will continue to flourish.
