DPW Downtown Hilo Parking Analysis Dec 2009

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IV. DOWNTOWN HILO PARKING 4.1 BACKGROUND Parking meters, if enforced properly, can serve several important purposes within a commercial district like Downtown Hilo. They help to: • Promote parking turnover. • Distribute limited on- street parking time equitably. • Provide space for the short-term shopper and business client. • Maximize the economic viability of downtown by providing opportunities for more people to park conveniently. • Generate revenue. At a time when parking in Downtown Hilo was controlled by parking meters, there were an estimated 918 parking meters in operation. Of the three County of Hawaii staff available to maintain the proper function of the Hilo parking meters, only one was assigned to, and could be spared for meter enforcement. The limited number of enforcement personnel made it difficult for the meters to regulate parking the way they were intended. In an attempt to resolve some of the existing and projected future parking problems in Downtown Hilo, the DIA held a town meeting on July 12, 1994. One issue that was brought up was how the ineffectiveness and cost of metered parking prevented the downtown merchants from remaining competitive with the shopping malls. It was at this time that the DIA proposed the idea to remove all parking meters in the downtown area. Consequently, the continued efforts of the DIA Parking Committee brought forth a series of events that led to the removal of all, but an estimated 31 meters near the Post Office: • In 1996, the DIA Parking Committee, with County Council of Hawaii's approval, gained free two -hour short, medium and long term parking in Downtown Hilo. • The DIA Parking Committee effort continued with an experimental project that allowed free eight -hour parking in the Bayfront Parking Lot from December 2, 1996 to May 31, 1997. • In 1998, the County Council of Hawaii passed a resolution to establish a three month trial period where parking meter payments would not be required. • In 1999, a resolution to remove and cap the Downtown parking meter heads was reviewed, but not passed by the County Council of Hawaii. • In 2000, Ordinance No. 00 89, permitting the removal of the Downtown parking meter zones, except those adjacent to Post Office was introduced and ap ssed. • After Ordinance No. 00 89 was passed, the meters remained, but the meter heads were covered. • In 2003, a decision was made to permanently remove all the unused parking meters and posts. • From late June 2003 to mid September 2003, the parking meters and posts, except those adjacent to the Post Office, were removed by the County of Hawaii. •7•