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Parking report released

By John Larson

Parking downtown has long posed challenges to business leaders and city officials. "Parking is like a Rubik's Cube," said Paul Ellis. "Every time you think you have it solved, it changes. Unless you are a genius, you need help to solve it."

Ellis, metropolitan development director for Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, has been involved with the chamber's Transit and Parking Advisory Committee since it was formed in 2006. Last week it released a 10-page report detailing what he considers some simple strategies.

A recommendation calls for parking meters in specific areas if on-street parking is at 85-percent of capacity on a consistent basis.

Ellis considers this a historic moment, considering that in the recent past downtown merchants were vigorously opposed to any mention of meters. Now they have been able to formulate a plan for what conditions would be needed for them to accept them, he noted.

"That is a consensus we have with everyone," Ellis said.

A key recommendation is to get more companies to participate in commute trip reduction programs. Often the person who coordinates this at a business can't devote enough time. "It ought to be at the highest level of priorities," Ellis said.

Using mass transit is part of the solution.

"Most people will give the politically correct nod to transit, but in practice they feel someone else should use it," Ellis commented.

One deterrent for parents using a bus or car pool is what will happen if their child becomes ill and must be picked up at school or daycare. Ellis noted there is an emergency cab ride program, which reimburses downtown workers for such expenses.

City Manager Eric Anderson will discuss findings from his series of meetings on this topic at city hall at noon Aug. 7.

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