TACTICAL REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN ALBANY NY

Section 3
Nelson\Nygaard
Parking and Traffic Expertise
Nelson\Nygaard specializes in developing parking plans and management programs that
go beyond single-issue parking studies and instead focus on creating livable environments
through efficient, fiscally responsible use of parking resources. We are highly experienced
in drafting policies, regulatory language and practical implementation plans that set forth
successful parking management strategies while understanding the specific needs of a city’s
administration, advocacy groups, businesses and residential neighborhoods. Nelson\Nygaard
is skilled in helping clients understand the real costs of parking and developing strategies for
balancing parking demand with financially feasible levels of supply.
Parking Demand — How Much is the Right Amount?
Providing too much or poorly-placed parking can be immensely costly, increase vehicle traffic,
reduce pedestrian and cyclist safety, and reduce development density. Conversely, supplying
too little parking can create its own set of problems including undermining the financial
feasibility of development projects, hampering the revitalization of commercial districts, and
creating parking spillover issues.
Nelson\Nygaard undertakes parking demand studies in recognition of the larger community
context, realizing that parking must often support several goals simultaneously, such as
promoting economic development while maintaining a quality pedestrian environment.
Building Consensus Among Stakeholders
Policymakers, business interests, and residents often have conflicting objectives and
competing community goals. Nelson\Nygaard builds consensus by having these separate
players see the larger picture, bringing key stakeholders together to explore potential tensions
and tradeoffs. Our innovative public education strategies ensure that communities understand
the planning process with ultimate plans reflecting local values and needs.
Analytical Expertise
Land use and parking are inextricably linked: you have a variety of land uses in your downtown
and corresponding parking for the users of these land uses. Nelson\Nygaard uses ITE and ULI
tools to evaluate the supply and demand of a parking supply relative to the square footage of
existing land uses, assessing the ratios and understanding any deficits. A shared parking model
methodology is utilized to best represent how downtown parking is actually utilized throughout
the course of a day and week.
Parking Policy
From citywide parking strategies to neighborhood plans, Nelson\Nygaard has developed
policies for small downtowns and major metropolitan centers. Our outreach tools help foster
community consensus on policy objectives, and translate these into decisions on specific
management policies. The firm is also at the cutting edge of new policy formulation: we have
written best practice guides for the EPA, taught training courses for the American Planning
Association, and developed our in-house best practice database.