City of Atlanta Downtown Parking Action Plan

For a city constantly on the move like Atlanta, a transportation system that addresses both the existing parking environment and supports the increased use of alternative transportation modes is critical to maintaining a viable downtown. Accomplishing this goes well beyond simply adding more parking. It includes effective management of exiting parking resources, initiatives to manage parking demand and strategies for creating a successful parking system that is adaptable, efficient, reliableand one that meets the needs of downtown residents, shoppers, visitors, and employees.

In response to interest from downtown property owners and stakeholders, the Transportation Management Association (TMA) of Atlanta asked a team comprised of Carl Walker, Inc. and UrbanTrans Consultants, Inc. (with assistance from Lanier Alternative Transportation Division)to develop a Downtown Parking Demand Management Action Plan. The plan's mission was: "To understand Downtown Atlanta's parking needs and identify strategies and projects that enable public and private stakeholders to maximize the available parking supply in order to enhance Downtown economic development and increase the attractiveness of all transportation modes."

The final action plan presented by Carl Walker, Inc. and UrbanTrans summarized 33 recommendations and action items along with the role of local agencies in their implementation. Each recommendation was identified as an immediate (6 months), short-term-(1-2 years), or long-term (3-5 years) action item. These recommendations included important items such as identifying land-banking opportunities, updating downtown parking standards, the impact of utilizing alter native modes of transportation, financing options for future facilities, the expansion and improvement of on-street parking and the implementation of state-of-the-art technology. Ten of the 33 recommendations were ranked in importance as "immediate."

Designed to help create a "balanced, linked and sustainable multimodal transportation system characterized by transit use and vibrant neighborhood businesses and residential areas," this action plan provides the TMA, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and the Georgia Department of Transportation with a blueprint for achieving those goals. Ultimately, it will help advance Atlanta's downtown economic development and quality of life, while increasing the attractiveness of all transportation modes.