Kalamazoo City Commission to consider meters, other parking measures Monday | WKZO

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – In an effort to create more business and open up parking along the Kalamazoo Mall, city officials are recommending meters be installed later this summer in the downtown business district.

The plan is expected to be considered at the July 1 city commission meeting.

City staff asked commissioners to adopt changes to Chapter 36 of the Highway Traffic Act regarding overnight parking, meter rates and meter operating hours. The first of two readings required before adoption will appear on the city commission’s July 1 agenda, with a second reading needed for final approval expected at the following meeting.

According to a city news release, the changes will support the installation of four-meter kiosks to regulate parking along the Kalamazoo Mall, with two placed north of South Street and two more between South and Lovell streets.

City planner and deputy director of community planning and economic development Christina Anderson says pricing for the Kalamazoo Mall, along with other changes under consideration, is part of an effort to encourage more parkers to use the two nearby car parks, where they can now park. free for 90 minutes.

In addition to new parking meters, the proposal also calls for establishing an overnight parking program for downtown residents and their guests and adjusting the cost and hours of certain downtown parking lots to accommodate increase parking capacity and manage parking demand.

“Installing parking meters along the Kalamazoo Mall is part of the city’s overall plan to improve access to the business district for all residents and visitors,” said Deputy City Manager Rebekah Kik. “This is based on best practices recommended for downtowns in the retail analysis conducted by Gibbs Planning Group. The project is part of the city’s Streets for All plan to create a more connected city. We anticipate that the meters will result in more visitors stopping and shopping at local businesses and venues.”

Anderson called the parking proposals “well suited to downtown” as the city embarks on the first step of a multi-phase plan to create inviting public spaces and safer travel for all users developing the Kalamazoo Mall into a more accessible destination space for residents and visitors. These changes, along with 90 free minutes in the ramps, were all noted in the Strategic Plan for the 2019 Downtown Parking Plan and align with the “Downtown Living” chapter of the 2025 Master Plan.

“Pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and anyone who wants to visit the area’s wonderful small businesses and restaurants should have easy and equal barrier-free access,” Anderson said. “Maintaining and improving the vibrancy and long-term viability of our neighborhoods and business districts requires removing barriers and opening up space. This is the goal of parking meters: to encourage faster turnover and accommodate more visitors.

The meters will be installed and managed by Flowbird Group, a provider of sidewalk management and urban mobility solutions. The recommendations call for a tiered rate structure with a higher rate in high-demand locations and lower rates elsewhere, with meter rates at the Kalamazoo Mall and the two parking garages at $2 per hour and some meters being in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The plan also includes a recommendation to expand overnight parking downtown for residents and guests using a monthly permit system.

Additionally, city staff are recommending adjusting the monthly garage rate to $115 and the lot rate to $75, as well as updating the daily maximum to $5 in lots 1 and 20.
Customers will be able to pay at the kiosks using credit or debit cards, city-issued smart cards, the Flowbird payment app or SMS payment.

The new parking kiosks will implement a “pay by plate” parking system, eliminating the need for users to display a receipt on their dashboard. Instead, users will simply need to enter their license plate number into the kiosk.

The city has been offering 90 minutes of free parking at the Epic and Kalamazoo ramps downtown since late last year and will continue the program after meters are installed.