2008/06/17 Council Agenda Packet

When the garages were built (dating back to 1976) they were high-quality facilities, but few significant upgrades have been implemented, and major maintenance has been put off for cost reasons. Some of the facilities are showing their age. Noting the disturbing trend toward chronic deterioration in the nation's infrastructure, the PAC has recommended careful reinvestment in the Downtown garage system that ranges from minimum stewardship obligations to "best-in-class" system upgrades. To pay for the reinvestment, the PAC recommends some rate increases, but insists on two things: the first hour should remain free, and the daily maximum charge of$12 should not increase. The First Hour Free program instituted in 2004 has been an unqualified success. Last year there were a half million more garage visits than in 2004. The visitors are staying longer: the average length of stay went from 2 to 3 hours. Visitors are spending more, nearly double, as noted previously. Of course, the first hour free comes at a cost. To preserve the First Hour Free incentive, the PAC recommends raising the hourly rate to $2.50 and the monthly rates to $100, and again hold them steady for four years. This increase is expected to generate the $1 million per year that system maintenance and improvements require. The good news again?The First Hour Free program remains intact, encouraging more people to visit downtown. The successful Downtown garages get long-overdue maintenance as well as improvements that make it easier and faster to use them. And the users of the system pay for its operation, allowing public funds to go to other investments in downtown - workforce housing, green development and public transportation are just three examples - that benefit everyone. Phillip Kushlan is the executive director of Capital City Development Corporation.