1. John M. Burke, PE, CAPP, Consultant Parking, Transit & Downtown Development Haverhill City Council Presentation March 3, 2015

2. Introduction John Burke, P.E., CAPP, Consultant Parking, Transit & Downtown Development  Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP)  Registered Professional Engineer (PE)  MBA/Public Finance  20+ years experience  Former Parking & Transportation Director - City of Portsmouth, NH - City of Evanston, IL

3. Introduction Municipal Parking/Transit Projects in New England  Holyoke, MA  Mansfield, MA  Narragansett, RI  Newburyport, MA  Newport, RI  Plymouth, MA  Portsmouth, NH  Wareham, MA  Westfield, MA  Worcester, MA

4. Study Overview  Objectives  Methodology  Analysis  Major Findings  Recommendations

5. Objectives 2 ½ years since implementation of Paid Parking Program Emphasis is on program refinement to make it more:  user friendly and convenient  efficient (goal of15% availability/balanced use)  self sustaining Accommodate off-site parking impacts of the Harbor Place Development

6. Methodology  75 Customer Intercept Surveys  12 Stakeholder Interviews  Review Previous Parking Studies/Reports  Analyze Updated Utilization Count Data  Evaluate Program Performance  Review Comparable City Rates/Services

7. Analysis – Customer Intercept Surveys

8. Analysis – Survey Results Most parkers surveyed responded that: 1.there is enough parking in Downtown Haverhill most of the time (60%).….but, not some nights and Saturdays when parking is free. 2.it was easy or very easy to find a parking space the day they were interviewed (72%).….but, available spaces are difficult to find on-street, some nights and during snow events. 3.the pay stations in lots and on street are easy or very easy to use (66.7%)….but, not necessarily the first time you use them and user interface complaints were frequent.

9. Analysis – Survey Results Most parkers surveyed responded that: 4.parking signage needs improvement (68%). 5.the hourly rate for parking ($0.50/hour) is reasonable or very reasonable (80%) with several respondents mentioning higher rates found in nearby cities like Lowell and Lawrence. 6.parking enforcement is fair and consistent (55.8%). 7.their overall satisfaction with the parking program either meets or exceeds their expectations (69.3%).

10. Analysis – Survey Results #1 response given for what parkers liked most about the Haverhill parking program was: convenience – or the ease of finding a parking space. #1 response given for what parkers thought would improve their parking experience was: to add more parking spaces.

11. Analysis – Survey Results Majority of parkers would be willing to pay more if: 1. parking spaces were made available closer to their destination (61.5%) 2. more parking spaces were added downtown (54.1%) 3. they could pay for and extend their parking session by cell phone (51.6%)

12. Analysis – Survey Results Majority of parkers would not be willing to pay more if: 1. pay stations were replaced by credit-card accepting meters at each individual space (64.5%). 2. Parking improvements funded more downtown amenities like landscaping, lighting and sidewalks (65.6%).

13. Analysis of Parking Utilization Counts On-Street Results (M-F, 8 am-8 pm) August 12-16, 2014 Streets Exceeding Effective Capacity (85%+)  Washington St. – 10 am to 8 pm  Wingate St. – 10 am to 8 pm  Granite St. – 10 am to 8 pm  Essex St. - Noon to 8 pm  Merrimack St. (2-hr free) – Noon to 4 pm Streets Significantly Underutilized (less than 60% )  Merrimack St. (2-hr free) – after 6 pm  Bailey Boulevard (all day free) – all day  All Streets before 10 a.m.

14. Analysis of Parking Utilization Counts Off-Street Results (M-F, 8 am-8 pm) August 19-23, 2014 Lots Exceeding Effective Capacity (85%+)  Haverhill Place Lot (permits only) - 8am to 4pm  Merrimack St. Lot (2 hr free) – 10am to 4pm  Washington-Wingate Lot – 6pm to 8pm  Phoenix Row Lot – between 6pm and 8pm

15. Program Review Analysis of Parking Utilization Counts Off-Street Results (M-F, 8am-8pm) August 19-23, 2014 Lots Significantly Underutilized (less than 60% )  Haverhill Place Lot (permits only) – 30 spaces nearly empty after 6pm  How St. Lot – 19 spaces in lot never used  Cram Lot - 8 spaces nearly empty after 4pm  Riverfront Promenade Lot – 28 spaces in lot never used  Elliot Lot – 19 spaces nearly empty after 6pm  Phoenix Row Lot – 50 spaces in lot never used before 4pm  Locust St. Lot (permits only) – 14 spaces in lot never used  Goecke Upper Deck – 111 spaces on upper deck never used after 4pm  Goecke Lower Deck – 110 spaces on lower deck never used after 4pm

16. CITYPOP.ONSTREET HOURLY RATE* CREDIT CARD ENABLED METERS ONSTREET PAID PARKING PERIOD LOTS MONTHLY PERMIT MUNICIPAL GARAGE MONTHLY PERMIT Brockton93,100$1.00No**8am to 6pm (M-F)$30$40 Haverhill61,800$0.50Yes3pm to 8pm (M-F)$15$15*** Lawrence76,400$1.00Yes8am to 6pm (M-S)$40$55 Lowell108,500$1.00Yes8am to 6pm (M-S)N/A$64 New Bedford 94,900$0.75Yes9am to 6pm (M-S)N/A$35/$47 Salem42,200$1.50Yes8am to 6pm (M-S)$25$65 Somerville77,100$1.00Yes8am to 8pm (M-S)$100$50 * Highest effective hourly rate **City planning to upgrade to credit-card enabled meters ***Herbert H. Goecke Jr. Municipal Parking Deck – Lowest Rate/Shortest On-Street Paid Parking Period – Highest Rate/Longest On-Street Paid Parking Period PARKING RATES IN COMPARABLE MASSACHUSETTS CITIES As of September 30, 2014

17. Program Review Major Findings 1. The overall satisfaction rate with the current parking program is good (69.3%). 2. There is generally enough off-street parking most times with the exception of certain nights, Saturdays (when parking is free) and during snow events. 3. On-street metered parking is at a premium during both free and paid parking periods between 10 am and 8 pm. 4. Virtually all streets and lots are underutilized prior to 10 a.m. 5. During peak periods, there is an imbalanced use of the public parking supply (i.e. some streets and lots are over effective capacity while others are underused).

18. Program Review Major Findings 6. Different on-street vs. off-street pay periods and payment methods can be confusing to the customer. 7. Parking signage and markings need considerable improvement. 8. The existing pay stations have some functional short-comings that can make them difficult and frustrating to use. 9. Parkers consistently seek, and are willing to pay more for strategies that will add new parking spaces or make existing spaces more available. 10. Haverhill has the lowest hourly parking rates of the comparably-sized MA cities surveyed.

19. Program Review Major Findings 11. The$0.50/hour meter rate is insufficient to cover the on- going operating/capital replacement costs associated with the credit-card accepting pay stations. 12. The Harbor Place Development is projected to increase demand on the public parking supply by 60 to 70 parking spaces during the weekday, lunch-time, peak period. This projected demand will increase use of the Goecke Deck and parking spaces on Merrimack Street.

20. Program Review Recommendations Expand Effective Use of the Existing Parking Supply 1.Add 21 off-street parking spaces by expanding the Haverhill Place Parking Lot. 2. Add 19 on-street parking spaces by converting the parallel spaces on the south side of Bailey Boulevard to angle parking spaces. 3.Increase the effective number of on-street parking spaces by eliminating painted parking stalls. 4. Install additional 15-min. paid parking spaces at appropriate locations on-street and reduce short-term spaces in the lots.

21. Program Review Recommendations Expand Effective Use of the Existing Supply 5.Consider Tiered Permit Pricing to incentivize permit parkers to use lower-demand lots thus freeing-up higher-demand spaces. Consider a resident discount, free parking in Merrimack St. Lots after 5 p.m., and eliminating hang tags. 6. Consider Public Valet on Washington Street on Friday & Saturday nights and valet cars (parked in tandem) to underutilized lots (ex. Locust St., Riverside Promenade, etc.). 7.Develop shared-lot agreements to allow public use of private parking lots on Friday & Saturday nights.

22. Program Review Recommendations Expand/Improve Customer Services 8.Implement Pay-by-Cell Phone service to allow customers to pay for and extend parking time remotely within allowed time limits. 9.Consider introducing Merchant Validation. 10.Expand bicycle access & parking opportunities at appropriate locations. 11.Initiate planning with the MVRTA for a possible “Main Street Shuttle” to link commuter rail service, parking facilities and destinations within the business district.

23. Program Review Recommendations Simplify/Standardize Parking Program 12.Improve functionality and user-friendliness of pay stations by: - Installing awnings to reduce glare & provide cover from rain/sun - Improving pay station signage/instruction plate - Converting to Pay & Display in lots - Promoting 5-minute customer grace period on expiration. 13.Standardize on- & off-street meter pay periods, payment methods and corresponding signage - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (M-F). Consider Sat. in future - Pay & Display for on-street and off-street parking - Unified sign system (i.e. lot name, hours of ops., fee, time limits, branding, etc.)

24. Program Review Recommendations Sustainable Pricing & Enforcement 14.Increase the on-street hourly parking rate to $1.00 and off- street hourly rate to $0.75 to ensure that the program is self- sustaining. 15. Replace manual ticket writing with an electronic/wireless handheld system integrated with the Pay Station’s management system, Permit Program and Pay-by-Phone.