Glenwood Springs Parking Study

City Parking Study Is Underway

A parking study is underway to address the City's current parkingopportunities and future parking needs. Concerns about adequate public parking has long been a topic of conversation and interest in Glenwood Springs and with the construction of a public parking garage on Cooper Avenue, one wonders if and how that additional parking will impact parking in Glenwood Springs. The study is the recommended procedure suggested by parking experts as the best way to approach parking use and needs. It is an essential element of the ongoing effort to update the City's strategic plan to improve downtown parking.

The study area to be surveyed includes the Downtown Development Authority footprint including the areas north and south of the Colorado River; west to Devereux Road; east to 6th Street north of the river; and south to 12th street. Areas within the district may be excluded if they are found to be self-contained isolated entities not impacting other parking in the commercial business district.

Walker Parking Consultants is under contract to Glenwood Springs for the parking study and development of the parking plan. Walker will also help the City examine policies regarding how public parking is provided, managed, and developed in the future. The parking survey began in mid-August with the plan expected to be completed by the end of 2012. Parking professionals conducted a preliminary review of existing parking conditions over a two-day period to determine turnover, duration, vacancy and purpose of trip. It was accomplished continuously from 7:00a.m. -7:00 p.m., and included data collection and some interviewing with stakeholder groups. The survey techniques have been developed and used in creating parking plans in other communities faced with similar parking issues as in Glenwood Springs. The public will be invited to view the survey data and offer input on solutions at an open house in early November. Watch for advertisements in the Post Independent and notices on the City website.

“Public parking has been a long-term topic of discussion within the community. There are varied perceptions of parking problems downtown including concerns about parking for tourists and employees in the downtown area. It is important to truly understand the entire problem so that an effective plan can be developed,” said Dave Betley, Assistant Director of Public Works for the City of Glenwood Springs. “This study will examine all facets of parking and parking problems and also consider construction of the parking structures on Cooper.”

For more information regarding the study/plan, please contact Rosa Mendez Silver, Transportation Manager at 384-6437 or at rosa.silver@cogs.us or visit the City website at www.cogs.us. If you would like to submit your comments regarding parking in your community, please complete the online parking survey posted on the City's website.