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Elk. „~ <br />Kiver <br />Downtown Parking Study <br />Paid Parking <br />In the v~r r long term charging for parking in on-street spaces may become <br />necessary in order to keep spaces available for visitors/customers. Parking <br />meters have been the traditional method used to control the use of on-street <br />spaces. In fact, parking meters were invented to promote on-street turnover, not <br />to generate revenue. However, other methods such as pay-by-space and pay- <br />and-display devices to control an entire block face of spaces are becoming <br />more common. <br />If a paid parking program is ever implemented in Downtown Elk River care must <br />be taken so that the entire municipal parking rate structure has the desired <br />effect. The most convenient spaces should have the highest fee if utilized for <br />longer than intended. The less convenient spaces should have the lowest cost <br />for a full days worth of parking. <br />Pedestrian Facility Improvements <br />The City should continue its effort to provide a safe appealing pedestrian <br />oriented downtown. If safe attractive pedestrian paths are provided from <br />parking spaces to the downtown destinations the perceived convenience of the <br />parking system rises. In addition, if using the pedestrian paths is pleasant, a "Park <br />Once" situation will occur. Downtown employees and visitors will be <br />encouraged to walk between destinations rather than moving their vehicles so <br />fewer spaces will be required. In addition, the increased foot traffic will make <br />Downtown Elk River livelier and increase business for downtown merchants. <br />During the public input sessions, people expressed displeasure with having to <br />cross Highway 10 in order to use the employee parking areas. Re-design studies <br />of the intersections should be made with a goal of enhancing pedestrian safety <br />in the intersection crosswalks. Significant deign improvements to the lots should <br />also be made to make the lots more attractive, appealing and help alleviate <br />safety concerns. Making the employee spaces seem more convenient will <br />mean more employees will be willing to use the lot thus freeing up spaces in the <br />core downtown area for visitors/customers. <br />September 2007 <br />Carl Walker, Inc. <br />43 <br />