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3rd Avenue paid parking is put in neutral

Councilors delay, pending details on La Plata County’s office plans
A proposal to require paid parking by use of permits on East Second and East Third avenues in downtown Durango was put on hold Tuesday by the City Council.

Starting a paid-parking program in the East Third Avenue area to help ease congestion would carry a high cost for residents and visitors, but right now, the program is on hold.

After a presentation on the cost and a preliminary residential survey Tuesday, the Durango City Council asked for more information before making a decision to move forward. Specifically councilors asked the city manager to find out how the La Plata County’s plan to move departments to the Tech Center and moving in the federal court into the courthouse could impact parking.

In the first year, the program could cost about $111,000 and for residents, that could translate into $234 for two annual passes. In following years, it could cost residents about $140 for two passes to help cover the $68,000 a year it could take to maintain, said Amber Blake director of transportation and sustainability.

Those that do not live in neighborhood could purchase a monthly pass for $30.

The Neighborhood Boulevard Association Inc. requested the city look into requiring both residents and visitors to pay for parking permits to ease the parking congestion.

The permit area would be from 15th Street to Second Street and from the alley between East Second and East Third avenues to the alley between East Fourth and East Fifth avenues.

Paid-parking advocate Mike Todt presented the results of an informal survey that showed widespread neighborhood support.

But the survey asked if residents would support the program if it were to be paid by fees well less than $100.

The councilors expressed skepticism the program would garner the same support with the current cost estimates.

If the program was implemented participation would be mandatory for all the residents.

The program has already created neighborhood controversy at a meeting Thursday attended by about 80 people, and the crowd was split on the issue.

Residents complained about having to pay to park on the street if they have a garage and the potential for paid parking to push congestion further east.

Others said a step to ease congestion must be taken because parking congestion has been an issue for decades.

“Is the intent of the city to always put it on the shoulders of two blocks of people?” said Karen Anesi, president of the Boulevard Neighborhood Association Inc. during the meeting.

Todt said he would take the proposal and cost back to the residents for more feedback.

“It is going to trigger a conversation about a parking garage,” Anesi said.

A parking garage would likely cost $35,000 a space, and the city does not have the funding for that at this time.

Councilor Dean Brookie suggested limiting the amount of time visitors could park in the neighborhood rather than charging residents and visitors.

“Maybe we can look at a simpler approach,” he said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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