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2. They want it to be very convenient and <br />They want it to be inexpensive (and preferably free). <br />Unfortunately, you can have any two, but not all three. This ushers in the need for a policy decision. If <br />you choose to have inexpensive and convenient parking you will likely not have enough. This option may <br />be acceptable if you want to use the lack of spaces as part of a demand management strategy to <br />encourage the use of transportation alternatives. <br />If you choose to have inexpensive and enough parking it will not be very convenient. With this choice, <br />you may be adopting a strategy that utilizes less expensive remote parking supported with shuttle <br />operations (at least for employees). <br />If you choose to have convenient and enough parking, it will not be cheap. This often -preferred <br />approach typically means you have chosen to develop structured parking. The national average cost to <br />construct a surface lot parking ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 per space. Above grade parking structures <br />average between $15,000 - $25,000 per space. Below grade parking can range between 1.5 to 2 times <br />the cost or more of above grade structures dependent upon soil conditions and other factors. Another <br />consideration that is often overlooked is that operating, utility, maintenance and security costs are <br />significantly higher with structured parking. <br />In urban environments, the choice is most often made to have "convenient and enough" parking. This <br />strategic decision and the significant capital investment it requires, creates the need to assure that these <br />investments are well managed and responsive to the communities they serve. Based on our work <br />evaluating numerous parking systems of various sizes and complexity across the country, Kimley-Horn <br />has identified a set of 20 Characteristics, that when combined into an integrated programmatic <br />approach can provide the basis for a sound and well managed parking system. We've found that the <br />twenty characteristics provide a solid foundation for communities who are working to manage parking <br />in a way that balances convenience, availability and cost. <br />A parking system that has all twenty of these characteristics, as listed at right and discussed in detail <br />below, is well on its way to being in a class apart from the majority of parking systems. The ultimate <br />goals are a system that provides professional management, understands the role it plays in contributing <br />to the larger objectives of the downtown or shopping district and is responsive to the community to <br />which it serves. <br />The importance of parking as one of the most visible and often controversial elements of a downtown's <br />infrastructure is often underestimated. Parking, when well-managed, can be a key component in <br />attracting and supporting new development and is essential to sustaining healthy and vibrant <br />downtowns. <br />j le <br />