Parking Predicament: Study Reveals Downtown Lexington’s Abundance of Empty Spaces

Parking Predicament: Study Reveals Empty Spaces in Downtown Lexington

Drivers navigating the bustling streets of Lexington looking for a spot to park might be in for a surprise. A recent study conducted by researchers from Kimley-Horn and Associates has uncovered some eye-opening facts about parking availability in the downtown area. Despite the complaints from frustrated drivers, it turns out that many parking spots remain empty during the day!

The Surprising Findings

During the study, which looked at parking usage on select dates this year, researchers identified a whopping 3,300 parking spaces in downtown Lexington. But here’s the kicker: the majority of these spaces sit unused for most of the day! Members of the Town Council learned that even at peak times, parking occupancy paints a less than crowded picture. For instance, on a busy midday weekday, only 41% of public spaces and 29% of private spaces were filled, meaning about a third of all spaces laid vacant. As for weekends? Even less! A mere 20% of public spaces and 11% of private spaces were occupied.

And if you’re wondering about special events, you won’t be shocked to hear that even during these occasions, parking only reaches about 25% capacity. The only time lots are close to full is during events held in the amphitheater or the South Church Street lot, which typically hit around 85% capacity.

Digging Deeper

The study examined parking patterns on dates like Wednesday, August 28, and Saturday, August 31, wrapping up with the evening of October 10, coinciding with a downtown event. Mayor Hazel Livingston expressed a desire for more extensive research, especially with the holiday shopping season on the horizon. “Some didn’t feel like enough dates had been looked at,” she remarked. “We’ve asked for more data, more than the few days that were done.”

Town Councilman Gavin Smith chimed in, noting that one of the dates coincided with Labor Day weekend and another with the State Fair. “I was baffled by the way this was put together,” he said, vocalizing the common sentiment that, “The average citizen will tell you it’s hard to find parking downtown.”

Understanding the Study’s Purpose

The study was commissioned by the Town Council, which set aside $25,000 for this analysis due to ongoing concerns about parking availability. Randy Edwards, the town’s transportation director, noted that for years, locals have assumed that downtown parking is scarce. The intention behind this study was to finally establish a baseline understanding of downtown parking.

To get a grip on the situation, the researchers conducted a thorough inquiry of the downtown area, capturing data through drone footage at specific times. It turns out that two-thirds of the parking spots in the analyzed area belong to private entities, while the remaining spaces are clustered around town and county government offices.

Accessible Spaces and the Struggle

The study also addressed accessibility, revealing that about 140 downtown parking spaces are designated as “accessible,” which includes 30 public spaces. However, many of these are situated at lower elevations, potentially creating challenges for those with mobility difficulties. Smith emphasized the need for better accessibility, especially since certain events often result in the closure of dedicated accessible spaces.

“When we close the lot for events,” he said, “it takes away four ADA-accessible spaces, and the next closest are at town hall, which is quite a trek for someone needing assistance.” Mayor Livingston expressed hopes that future research would include input from the disabled community to better understand their experiences navigating downtown.

Future Considerations

The researchers suggested looking into options for building a parking garage to add more than 100 parking spaces to downtown. Such a facility could help ease the concerns of local businesses and visitors alike, enhancing the vitality of the area. The study pointed out potential sites but emphasized that this should be a response to community feedback rather than purely a need stemming from current parking demand.

Edwards acknowledged that more analysis is necessary before making any final decisions on a garage or specific locations. As Mayor Livingston put it, “We’ll wait for the final study before we make any judgment calls.” With the town evolving, tackling parking challenges remains a priority to ensure everyone can enjoy all that downtown Lexington has to offer!