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Downtown Suffolk Revitalization Plan through Arts - College of ...

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cities around the country. The following are examples <strong>of</strong> varying parking<br />

requirements for bars:<br />

Ithaca, NY 1 space per 50 GLA<br />

Greensboro, NC 1 space per every 4 seats or 1 space per 50 GLA, whichever is<br />

greater, plus 2 per 3 employees<br />

Spartanburg, NC 1 space per 4 seats<br />

Des Moines, IA 1 space per 150 GLA<br />

The number <strong>of</strong> parking spaces varies greatly from city to city. Greensboro and<br />

Spartanburg require half the amount as <strong>Suffolk</strong>, while Ithaca requires three times as much<br />

as Des Moines. A survey <strong>of</strong> required parking can be completed for each use. The APA<br />

publication illustrates that many <strong>of</strong> the parking requirements in <strong>Suffolk</strong> can be reduced.<br />

It is recommended that a parking survey be conducted to assess the demand <strong>of</strong> parking,<br />

project new businesses and their required parking, and analyze the specific need for new<br />

parking.<br />

Several remedies to parking problems can be discussed at this point, however this<br />

plan cannot recommend a specific action without further study. One method <strong>of</strong><br />

mitigating the supply <strong>of</strong> parking spaces can be achieved by reducing the size <strong>of</strong> the space.<br />

Nine feet in with is an acceptable size, however, it is possible to have spaces as low as<br />

eight feet. By reducing the size <strong>of</strong> the parking space, more spaces can be created.<br />

Another mitigation technique is <strong>through</strong> parking pricing, or adding parking<br />

meters. Currently many city lots and on street parking spaces <strong>of</strong>fer free two hour<br />

parking. No parking meters exist <strong>Downtown</strong>. By adding parking meters, the city can<br />

regulate the amount <strong>of</strong> available parking <strong>through</strong> controlling the price. Prices are raised<br />

on meters until a certain percentage <strong>of</strong> parking is available at a certain time. For<br />

example, if all <strong>of</strong> the metered spaces are full at $1 for two hours, the price would be<br />

raised to $2 for two hours. If all <strong>of</strong> the spaces are still full at this price, it would be raised<br />

again until a certain percentage <strong>of</strong> the meters are open at any given time. Charging for<br />

parking is also a means for the city to increase revenue.

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