DPW Downtown Hilo Parking Analysis Dec 2009

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VI. FINDINGS This evaluation, prompted by the concerns expressed by the Downtown Hilo merchants, took place from November 2003 to December 2009. The findings, which were gathered through daily site visits, research, and discussions with the public and a local shopping center merchant are presented as follows: 1. The Kamehameha Parking Lot and the Bayfront Parking Lot start filling up generally between 8:45 AM and 9:00 AM, (see Photos 1 & 2). 2. Many people park for extended periods in areas intended for short-term parking. Examples are the Kamehameha Parking Lot (see Photos 3, 3B, 4, 4B, 5, 5B, 6, 6B, 7 & 7B) and Keawe Street (see Photos 8, 8B & 8C). 3. The eight -hour time limit Bayfront Parking Lot is used by a large number of people, yet there are often parking stalls available that could be used by other long -term parkers, (see Photo 9). 4. There are no established areas for employees to park. 5. The downtown merchants do not collectively require employees to park in long- term parking areas. 6. Some existing private parking areas are not clearly marked, or not made obvious to patrons who may be unfamiliar with the area. 7. Lenient and unenforced parking regulations leads to traffic congestion and parking shortages primarily during "Farmers Market" days (officially Wednesdays and Saturdays). 8. The loading zones along Mamo Street, Kamehameha Avenue, Punahoa Street, and Nawahi Lane are used for other purposes, and for longer time periods than they were originally intended, particularly during "Farmers Market" days. 9. There is a parking shortage in the Kamehameha Parking Lot and the Bayfront Parking Lot on "Farmers Market" days, (see Photos 10, 11 & 12). 10. Additional traffic congestion occurs as people drive (cruise) in search of available parking stalls, (see Photo 13). 11. There is a shortage of covered sidewalks and other accommodations to encourage long -term parkers to utilize the designated eight -hour parking zones. 12. Private parking areas for Downtown Hilo are limited due to an onsite parking exemption provided in the Hawaii County Code (Section 25- 4- 59.2). 13. Parking enforcement in Downtown Hilo has been difficult due to the creation of time -limit parking zones, the removal of parking meters, and insufficient parking enforcement personnel. 14. Many Downtown Hilo merchants believe they are at a disadvantage competing with merchants in shopping centers due to the shortage of downtown parking. Employee parking in shopping centers is usually regulated by the shopping center, and merchants typically pay for customer parking through their rent and Common Area Maintenance charges. Further, employees in shopping centers are expected to park in designated employee parking lots or in stalls away from the prime parking areas in the main parking lot. The lots at Prince Kuhio Plaza are policed by security guards, and any employee parking violations become the responsibility of the respective merchants. 15. Public requests for eight -hour parking increase when enforcement of short-term parking occurs. •10•