Downtown Parking Management Updates

I am part of co-working community and it seems like the coworking District overlooked: At full capacity, the Coworking District will bring 300+ long-term daily parkers downtown. We were not included in the study, since our members don’t fit the “short errand” or “traditional employee” categories. In fact, today was the first time Parking Services even acknowledged our existence as a district. This is a vibrant part of downtown and we need to be included in this plan.

The "why now" part of this plan is pretty weak -- it feels like "changing this because we can", without great reasons.

This is a problem because the changes make several kinds of downtown businesses less viable. Downtown coffee shops have crowds working in them all morning while (according to the Parking Services presentation) parking demand is otherwise quite low. Coworking spaces attract people all day, again in the low-demand part of the cycle.

The proposed plan works well for people who want to pop into a sandwich shop for an hour or two, but not so well for longer-term users. Paid parking at $12/day would more than double the cost of coffee shop working or coworking, even though the existing spaces on the street are not full. Paid parking in the evenings may make sense, but not 9-5.

I don’t think that the city of Fort Collins should do that because it will decrease the wellbeing of the community and quality of life. Having lived in the city of Pittsburgh that required parking and it was very difficult to find any parking for a fair price. Additionally, people would still disobey parking laws and in that case it only benefits the government, not the people trying to visit our town.

I live in Old Town and I think the voices of the people who live/work in Old Town are the most valuable. I am someone that lives right in the heart of old town so parking downtown is my everyday life. The main problem I deal with is that the parking website is confusing and so is the parking map. Not all parking information is leven isted on the map so I can't rely on it. I think you need to focus on updating systems you have already in place instead of trying to change it all to mirror other cities. We are not a normal big city. The meter parking in denver is always empty but the 2 hour is full. And that is what you are experiencing in Old Town. So getting parking meters are not the solution. I don't think making people pay will help mitigate the chaos. You have unlabeled parking, 2 hour, 30 minute, garages, AND permit. There needs to be more signage about parking, more signs for the parking garages, more explanation on the different types and a better map that represents it all. Thx

Hi! I am a resident at 221 e mountain Avenue. This proposal makes sense, but it seems that the residents of the old town neighborhood are being overlooked. Many of us park our cars on the street - for example, I have my car parked off the corner of Mathews and Mountain. I pay a significant amount of taxes to the community, and I find the premise of having to pay to park my car at a day to day rate a bit backwards, especially since this wasn’t a consideration when I moved here. I appreciate your effort and diligence, but please consider the residents of the community, not just the businesses and potential revenue. Thanks!

Do not put in meters and a system that requires a credit card. One of the best things about shopping/dining in Old Town is free parking. It helps the merchants greatly. They can compete with other areas were it is also free.
I urge you to find another way to raise $$. I love to support Old Town but that would definitely discourage me!

Please no!!!! My husband and I are Colorado Natives who recently relocated to Fort Collins. Old Town was a huge draw for us as we have frequented Belmar, Manitou Springs, Cherry Creek, Old Town Littleton , Boulder, Castle Rock, and Golden ( to name a few). All of these places have experienced a drop in local business. My husband and I are retired and since moving here have not had to wait to terribly long to find a parking space. We love the shops and restaurants of Old Town but definitely will NOT be frequenting if pay to park is required. Please do not succumb to the errors of other towns who have growth and greed ruin a once beautiful oasis.

I don't mind paying for parking to enjoy Old Town. I would love for there to be a way to add it on to something we already pay for (similar to how you can add state park pass to car registration). The inconvenience of having to go to a parking meter, scan a QR code, put in a credit card number, etc is what would feel most frustrating.

I am a senior woman who has great fear of being attacked in a parking garage. I'm small, all alone, and have difficulty walking- which makes me a perfect victim. My brother was brutally murdered in 2010. It caused me to avoid unsafe areas. If you force downtown patrons to park in the garage, I will no longer go downtown ever. My safety is way too important. So sorry you are doing this. I believe it will hurt business.