HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Welch
Samantha Welch <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Parking comment
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Emailing comments on possible parking solutions that might make locals more happy. First off-
I am all for placing a value on space downtown and parking, but maybe we can do so in a way
that makes the locals feel 'special' and included in the DT development and growth rather than
alienated. If we approach the problem by wanting to be a destination for locals, first, then for
visitors this might be the start of a solution.
There are two ways to increase revenue: 1. Price 2. Volume. I feel that we leaned too heavily
into the 'increase prices' strategy to bolster sales here, and forgot to address "increased sales
volume". One could argue (by perception only) that perhaps the pricing strategy came at the
detriment of increasing volume.
So- some food for thought here....
What if we possibly reconsider the price of the monthly/quarterly parking permit for 10 hour
meters. If the price comes down to $40-45/month but have many more of them available then
I think you will earn more income overall. AND people may actually want to spend more time
downtown since they have 'free parking' or want to make the most of their investment. More
10 hour meters/meter spaces can be added a bit further out of the core. I obviously do not
know how many we sell, but taking a chapter out of the subscription model playbook.... lower
pricing+more inventory available+automatic recurring charges=greater top line sales.
Make monthly permits available online and make monthly charges recurring. Use a sticker that
is scannable/traceable and reusable for as long as you are paying for it (something a parking
enforcement officer can scan to make sure it is current), rather than having to go into the office
to get a new sticker each month. This would also make the permit program more green because
we are not throwing away plastic passes.
For people who spend alot of time in DT- their parking prices are locked in and budgetable, but
do not seem to "add $12 to their dinner tab/clothing purchase". For those who come in 1
time/month- it makes more sense to pay for the parking structure- but, this idea is rewarding
those who come downtown with higher frequency (not those who never come downtown, but
complain about the parking prices from afar....)
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Without knowing the details, I have no idea if this is a viable thought process, but it is
something to consider if it has not yet been discussed.
Many thanks for all of your hard work and for being willing to keep this conversation going!
Samantha
Samantha Welch
Director of Operations
Blue Mango Management
Novo Restaurant
Luna Red Restaurant
Robin’s Restaurant
??? (805) 844-3197
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