DPW Downtown Hilo Parking Analysis Dec 2009

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IX. RECOMMENDATIONS The following are recommendations to help reduce the parking problems in Downtown Hilo. The goal is to address the situation starting with the least expensive and least intensive phase (Phase I). After the specified trial period, the effectiveness of the phase will be evaluated by the County of Hawaii and the DIA. If the parking problems have been satisfactorily mitigated, this phase will continue as the standalone solution. If the parking problems have not been resolved, the next phase will be implemented (either concurrently or independently) and later reviewed. This process will continue up to Phase III or until an acceptable solution is met. PHASE I (I year trial period) The primary objective for Phase I is to look at a cost - effective solution and a way to get the Downtown Hilo merchants more involved in the enforcement process. • Designate employee parking areas especially for those who work in the Kamehameha Avenue storefront area. • The DIA would assess the amount of stalls required (for merchants without established parking areas) and provide this number to the County of Hawaii. • The County of Hawaii would work with the DIA to come up with viable parking area options. • The County of Hawaii would provide signage and markings, as needed, to clearly distinguish the employee parking areas. • The downtown merchants, including vendors of the Farmers' Market, would play an active role in enforcement, by collectively taking the responsibility to ensure that merchants, vendors, and their workers use the employee parking and not the short-term customer parking. • The County of Hawaii would assist with enforcement, to ensure that only the proper Downtown Hilo employees are parking in the employee parking areas. • The County of Hawaii would make crosswalk improvements adjacent to the employee parking areas, if necessary. • The DIA would investigate the private parking areas that are available to the patrons, and come up with ways to clearly mark and advertise them. PHASE H (2 year trial period) In addition to Phase I, Phase II will be implemented to provide aid in enforcement and to promote a higher rate of parking turnover. • The County of Hawaii would implement electronic ADA compliant parking meters along Kamehameha Avenue, between Waianuenue Avenue and Ponahawai Street and in the Kamehameha Parking Lot. • The maximum time limits would be set no higher than two hours. • The parking meter rates would be reasonably set at a level that produces the desired parking turnover and promotes a self - funded parking meter program. • The County of Hawaii would look at alternatives to improving and increasing parking meter enforcement. •12