March 12, 2009 Downtown Partnership Mixer

Thank you for a Terrific Turnout

The Downtown Partnership would like to thank Wayne and Sylvia Jennings with peakdream.com for hosting a fabulous Spring Mixer on March 12, 2009.  Also, thank you to everyone who attended; helping to make this mixer our best attended.   

Changes on the way

Extended Meter Hours to help DASH

When City budget shortfalls put the Downtown DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) in jeopardy, Council members directed Parking Administrator Greg Warnke to get creative.

What's parking got to do with the free Downtown transit?

Parking fees - at meters and in garages - have long been a dedicated source of funding for Downtown improvements, helping pay for new streetscape elements, signage and other enhancements.  With a worst-case scenario of shutting down the DASH a looming possibility, Warnke began looking for ways to boost parking revenues so that a portion could be allocated to the DASH.

A hike in meter fees wasn't even an option, Warnke said, since the current dollar-per-hour rate is relatively new, and in line with what's charged in other Front Range communities. 

But as Warnke mulled over the problem, he realized that a considerable Downtown patron group hasn't been contributing to the parking coffers - namely, evening visitors. And with the popularity of Downtown restaurants and nightclubs, this seemed an appropriate source of revenues.

What Warnke will likely be presenting to City Council next month is a scenario in which meters would begin clocking an hour earlier (at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday) and continue running an additional four hours on those same evenings - although the evening rate would drop to 50 cents per hour and meters would convert to four hours.

"This way, you could put in $2 and be covered for dinner and a show," Warnke explained.

Revenues from the extended meter hours would be specifically earmarked for the DASH - enabling it to continue running at about 50 percent of its current schedule.

Warnke has been taking the concept to key Downtown constituencies - the Downtown Partnership, Business Improvement District, Marketing Committee and other groups, as well as meeting with key restaurant and club owners to gauge their interest.  Thus far, he said, most are supportive. Warnke will present a best parking practices study to City Council during its session on Monday, April 13; he anticipates he may also be able to present the extended meter hours proposal then or in early May.

"We've invested considerably in the DASH and it's a key Downtown attribute," said Ron Butlin, DP Executive Director. "If the extension of parking meter hours enables us to keep it running - even at 50 percent - we're grateful."

If you'd like more information or to share your thoughts, contact either Warnke or Butlin. Warnke can be reached at (719) 385-5682 or gwarnke@springsgov.com. You can call Butlin at (719) 886-0088 or email him at ronbutlin@downtowncs.com.

It'll cost you

Parking Fines Increased

Last month the City announced that fines for expired meters would double, from $10 to $20 per violation.

Downtown Partnership had no input to this decision, and Downtown does NOT benefit from the increased revenues.

According to City Parking Administrator Greg Warnke, the rate for parking tickets is determined by the Municipal Court, which periodically reviews rates and may increase them to bring them in line with what other Colorado cities are charging. 

The funds collected when you pay to park at a meter or a City garage DO help support Downtown. Parking violation revenues, however, go into the City's general fund.