sr-030811-8c~® City Council and
°ty°f Parking Authority Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: March 8, 2011
Agenda Item: ~'
To: Mayor and City Council
Members of the Parking Authority
From: Carol Swindell, Director of Finance
Subject: Interim Downtown Parking Plan
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Authorize a price incentive of $68.75 per month to current downtown monthly
parking pass holders to relocate to the Civic Center;
2) Direct staff to develop a combined monthly parking pass and monthly Big Blue
Bus (BBB) Pass; and
3) Direct staff to proceed with actions necessary to facilitate the demolition of
buildings located at 1338-42 and 1334-36 Fifth Streets after the expiration of
existing leases.
Staff recommends that the City Council and Parking Authority:
1) Authorize the City Manager and Executive Director to negotiate and execute a
Fourth Amendment to Lease No. 1828 with Douglas Emmett 1998, LLC, that
would enable the City to reimburse an amount not to exceed $20 per month for
each space relinquished in Parking Structure 2, through January 1, 2026.
Executive. Summary
Since early fall 2010, staff has been working with various stakeholders to develop ari
Interim Parking Plan (Plan) to meet parking demand during a period of increased
construction activity in the downtown and Civic Center. To date, staff has had meetings
with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc: (formerly the Bayside District Corporation), Chamber
of Commerce and downtown monthly parking pass holders. Additionally, the City and
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. have jointly retained the services of Kimley-Horn to
review and provide input on the Plan. Council has previously taken actions necessary
to facilitate implementation of the portions of the Plan to operate additional parking
locations and, on February 1, 2011, held a study session on the downtown and Civic
Center projects and elements of the Interim Parking Plan (Plan).
This report recommends that Council take necessary actions to further facilitate
implementation of the Plan and also provides an update on the various other aspects of
the Plan for which no additional Council action is currently necessary, including
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wayfinding and technology improvements, a proposed shuttle between the Civic Center
and Downtown, downtown valet options, and further rate adjustments. The proposed
incentives of a discounted parking rate and inclusion of a Big Blue Bus pass will
encourage the voluntary relocation to the Civic Center and will result in an estimated
annual loss of up to $82,500 in parking revenue for three years. Staff also recommends
the authorization to reimburse Douglas Emmett up to $20 per month for each parking
space relinquished from their long-term lease in Parking Structure 2. These actions,
with the additional efforts summarized in the report, would facilitate the implementation
of the Plan.
Background
The future parking needs of Downtown Santa Monica have been frequently discussed
since 2002. On April 9, 2002, City Council conceptually approved the strategic. plan
recommended by the Downtown Parking Task Force to retrofit, rebuild, and add parking
resources in the downtown area over aten-year period. On February 28, 2006, City
Council approved the Downtown Parking Program and authorized staff to proceed with
the next steps in implementing the program. On May 9, 2006, Council certified the EIR
for the Program. On September 8, 2009, Council adopted the Walker Parking Study,
which examined parking operations in downtown Santa Monica and identified
opportunities to maximize the use of existing downtown parking resources, thus
reducing the need to construct additional parking spaces. On October 15, 2010,.
Council received an Information Item on interim parking alternatives during the potential
construction of Parking Structures 3 and 6. On February 1, 2011, Council reviewed the
coordinated plan for the various proposed Downtown and Civic Center projects
expected to be under construction between 2012 and 2016, including the current
schedules, as illustrated below.
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Lkawatowll & Civic Center Projects -Estimated Constrectiort Pe+rods
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
GATEWAY PROJECTS ~ ~ ~~'r{ e i ~ §r ~
Expo L/ght Rall
Colorado Esplanade
Freeway Capping, Phaze #t:
Ocean Ave. Sidewalk Wfdening
Callfomla Incline
Pier entlge
6'1V.L t'..Jr ~r`2~C~K `~o~_
Palisades Gartlen Walk
The Village 8 Olympic Center Drive
Civic Auditorium
Early Childhood Educ. Center
OO'vYNTOy'd7'dARER
efke Transit Center
Parking Strnetare f16
AMC Theater `
5['~ 8 Admna Development
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Since early fall 2010, staff has been developing an Interim Parking Plan to
accommodate parking needs during the construction of the various downtown and Civic
Center proposed projects. The chart below demonstrate the minimum amount of
available parking throughout downtown and the Civic Center utilizing usage data
through January 2011 under two scenarios, 1) Parking Structure 6 under construction,
resulting in a loss of 342 parking spaces; and 2) Parking Structures 3 & 6 under
construction simultaneously, resulting in a loss of 681 parking spaces. This data
suggest that given all downtown and Civic Center parking locations, capacity exist as
demonstrated in the chart below.
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Gvic Center Parking Lot and Structure: Parking Usage and AvailabiNry from 2011-2015
FV 2010/11 FY 2011/12 FY 2012/13 FY 2013/14 FY 2014+
TOTAL SPACER AVAILABLE
Civic Center 1715 :1715 1715 1715 1715 1715 1715 1715 1715 1606 1608 1608 1608 1608 1608
5th and Arizona 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 . 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130
Mein Libmrystructure 200/300 200 300 200/300 200 300 200/300 200 300 200/300 200 300 200/300 200 300
TOTAL 2045 2145 2045 2145 2045 2145 1938 2038 1938 2038
Parkins Commitments Actual Highest Use Actual Highest Use Actual Highest Use Actual Highest Use Actual Highest Use
w aiocacea w slots<=a w gnocarea w am~eoaPoc n aiocacea ror
Comractual-Civic Center ror us= Weekday Weekend ror ace Weekday Weekend roc ux Weekday Weekend use Weekday Weekend a: e Weekday Weekend
State/County 325 276 0 325 276 0 325 276 0 325 276 0 325 276 0
Macerich employees (w/end only) 400 0 212 400 0 272 400 0 212 400 0 212 400 0 212
Macerich Valet 100 100 100 100 100 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SUBTOTAL
N 376 312 376 312 .176 212 276 212 276 212
on-contractual-Civic Center
CRy Employee month ly
699
280
70
699
332
70
699
332
70
599
332
JO
699
332
70
Paid Public Monthly 164 87 87 164 87 87 164 87 87 164 87 87 164 87 87
General Public Parking 94 0 94 0 94 0 94 0 94 0
Macerich Valet Option 100 0 0 0 0 0 100 100 100 0 0 0 0 0 0
SUBTOTAL 461 157 513 157 613 257 513 157 513 I57
New Protects
PSp 6: 146 monthlies+general 342 0 0 0 0 0 342 342 342 342 342 342 0 0 0
ECEC-see note 50/25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 50 25 25 0
Civic Event Parking(Nederlander 800/1000 530 800 804 530 800 0 0 0 0 0 0 1000 630 1000
Construction Staging-Civic Aud 100 0 0 0 0 0 SOD 100 100 100 100 100 0 0 0
AMC During P5 O6 Construction 339 0 0 0 0 0 339 339 .339 339 339 339 0 0 0
SUBTOTAL 530 800 530 800 781 781 831. 837 655 1000
TOTAL PARKING REQUESTED 1367 1269 1419 1269 1670 1250 1620 1200 1444 1369
Net Available w/ ro acts 678 876 626 876 375 895 3L8 836 494 669
Total Available in OVic [enter 348 446 296 446 259 679 202 622 169 239
Total Available in 5th/Arizona & Ubrery 330 430 330 430 116 215 116 216 330 430
NOTES ON CH
TOTAL SPACES AVAILABLE: CWic includes lot & structure, minus Police spaces in structure and 6 spaces occupied by en emergency storage bin; 5th & Arizona includes existing surface lot onh/
Weekdav: Assumes: 85%oF State/County passes used at peak, includes jurors; 280 CRy employees based onrecorded peak in Oct/NOV 2010 (From 2011 also includes 52 relocated employees, (29 individuals
and 23 carpool spaces), from RAND temporary lot); 100%valet which is closed off; 53%of public paid monthly based on documented highest peak hour use recorded In structure (Oc(/Nov 2010) and estimated
peak at lot based on daily totals; and 94 general paid daily porkers based on peak hour use during week of 1/3-1/7 (now/e data) .
~ja g4fLe,BS(: Assumes 10%of City employees, no State/County employees, Macerich and paid public card holders at same rate as weekday; events as described below; no genera I parking req'd.
Events: Assumes torrent peak in 10JI1 and Civic dark in 12/13-13/14; for Nederlander, assumes 63%use of spaces on event weekdays & full use on weekends (akhough use will be inconsistent).
N Allocated for Use: Number of spaces allocated for specific use, based on number of passes distributed; for reference.
Actual Highest Use: Assumed to remain rtable for period covered based on City's ability to control pass distribution.
For Packing Structure gb: Assumes 100% need for CEQA evaluation; this is a very conservative scenario.
AN fl -Construction may start as early as Jan. 2013; Projected 12-18 month overlap w/PSN6 construction; 125 relocated monthly passholders to use Civic lot, the balance of 339 monthlies to use available
spaces at Main Li6mryand 5th &Arizona; oil may be able to use new PS#6 from 2014.
ffiacerlch Valet Ootlon• Assumes that City does not extend option after 2012/13 because ECEC construction begins
ECEC: Project will permanently remove 107 spaces from taal. ECEC also needs 50 for staging d wring construction and 23 employee parking when open
GN-Issued oarkin¢cardz: Total numberincludesemployees not regularly assigned to City Hall vicinity; Use tr reflects highest daily use by CRy employees per Parking Office data.
Paid Public Monthly: Ciry controls and may reduce in future as needed to balance other parking needs or loss of spaces due to development.
5 ohl tru<UZm oa ki daH n• Fo fa Itv k' ¢ d " ¢ P op BB fac'IiN t ct a a¢ e m t Rh Ca
NOTE: Museum project projected to break ground after the period covered; further analysis will be required.
The Plan that staff has developed to maximize use of available spaces .throughout
downtown and the Civic includes a series of incentives, technology and wayfinding to
ensure maximum use of existing spaces during the construction period. Staff has also
worked on other strategies that would only enhance available parking, such as
renegotiating use of reserved spaces in Structures 2 and 4 and potential -use of
additional temporary parking locations.
Parking Incentives
To prepare for the eighteen month to two year construction period for the rebuilding of
Structure 6 and the related temporary loss of 339 spaces, staff proposes to relocate
400-500 downtown- monthly parkers to the Civic Center in order to provide additional
key, retail supporting, short-term spaces in the downtown core. It is staffs
recommendation that Council approve incentives in order to improve the desirability of
parking in the Civic Center and to encourage the voluntary relocation of monthly
parkers. Should the incentives not have the desired results, staff will recommend
additional strategies or, if necessary, staff can reassign current monthly parkers to the
Civic Center administratively. Specific recommended incentives include:
Reduce the rate for monthly parkers that relocate prior to December 31, 2011 to
$68.75 per month. This is an amount equal to two months free after one year
when compared to the current rate of $82.50 per month in the Civic Center. Staff
proposes the rate be available to those who continuously purchase monthly
parking for each month through December 2014. Once a monthly parker does
not renew their monthly pass, the rate would no longer be available to that
individual. Additionally, monthly parkers who are relocated after December 31,
2011 would be charged the full monthly rate of $82.50 with no price certainty
during the three year period.
• Direct staff to create a combined monthly parking pass and monthly Big Blue Bus
(BBB) Pass for monthly parkers. Staff is exploring methods to integrate the use
of both passes on one card which would reduce opportunities for misuse and
provide a convenient bus alternative to monthly pass holders. Staff proposes
that the bus pass be provided for no additional charge to monthly .parking pass
holders as a means to encourage the use of BBB. This pass will also provide
convenient options for travel between the Civic Center. and the downtown, as
BBB buses frequently, travel down Fourth Street, and facilitate this alternative
method of travel from the downtown to other locations serviced by BBB. The
goal of this proposal is to reduce traffic in the downtown, gain new ridership for
and encourage the use of the BBB system.
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100 Wilshire Leased Parking Spaces
The City and Parking Authority lease 155 parking spaces in Parking .Structure No. 2 to
Douglas Emmett 1998, LLC, under along-term lease originally authorized in 1968. The
parking spaces are located in a reserved area on the top level of the parking structure,
which is utilized by tenants of 100 Wilshire Boulevard during the week. However, the
spaces go largely unused because for the last few years Douglas Emmett only issues
permits for about one-third of the spaces. The Walker Parking Study recommended
that the City renegotiate the lease so that the estimated 80 to 100 unused parking
spaces could be returned to the City's parking supply.
Douglas Emmett 1998, LLC has agreed. to removal of the reserved parking area and
related signage in exchange for allowing payment to the City only for the spaces used
each month and for payment of $20 per space per month to Douglas Emmett for each
relinquished parking space. Payment by the City would cease on January 1, 2026.
In addition to increasing the supply of parking spaces available to the public, the
modification to the lease is expected to generate additional revenue to the City, as use
of the spaces for public parking generates considerably more revenue than what tenant
pays for the spaces. Making the spaces available for transient parking is expected to
result in additional net parking revenue of approximately $180 per space per month or
$170;000 per year.
Demolition of 1338-42 Fifth Street and 1334-36 Fifth Street and ICE
The City has recently acquired property on Fourth and Fifth Streets in support of the
City's Downtown Parking Program. One of the buildings on the property, located at
1324 Fifth Street (the former Interim Public Library), has been demolished. The other
properties on Fifth Street are improved with buildings that are leased to tenants whose
leases expire December 31, 2012. The building located at 1338-42 Fifth Street is
leased to Carlson Appliance and the building, located at 1334-36 Fifth Street is leased to
Angelo's Pawn Shop and Ezai Flowers. Demolition of these buildings, in tandem with
the other City holdings on Fifth Street, would provide the City a site of 67,500 sq. ft.
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which could be used for interim surface parking while the Parking Structure 6 and 3
redevelopment projects are underway. Staff recommends that the Council authorize
staff to notify the tenants that the City will not extend the leases after December 31,
2012. With Council direction, staff will immediately begin the planning and permitting
process so that the buildings can be demolished and interim parking created starting in
January 2013.
In addition, staff will continue to work with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. regarding the
future of ICE at the Fifth and Arizona location and possible accommodations or
alternatives to facilitate parking needs and preserve this annual winter tradition.
Updates on Additional Interim Parking Plan Initiatives
Temporary Parking
On November 9, 2010, Council approved an amendment with Central Parking System
to operate temporary parking locations throughout downtown Santa Monica. To date,
staff has executed the option to operate the lot at Fifth and Arizona beginning in March
2011. Staff plans to operate the lot with both self-park and valet-assist operations
depending on demand to maximize the facility. Staff is also exploring operating a full
valet service on the lot. Additionally, staff continues to monitor the construction
schedules for the projects at the 400 Colorado (future Expo rail terminus) and North
Civic Center parking lot (future Palisades Garden Walk) sites and will operate parking in
these lots when possible. Usage of 400 Colorado is dependent on when the Exposition
Light Rail Authority requires use of the property. Continued use of the North Civic
Center Lot is dependent on decisions related to storage of dirt generated from the
Village project for future use in the park construction and the use of the site for
construction staging for the Village project. Additionally, staff will maximize and
promote the use of the Main Library parking structure during this time period as a
location with an average of 200-300 available parking spaces.
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Rate Adjustments
Staff and Bayside will be working with Kimley-Horn to review the current parking rates,
the Walker Study rate recommendations, and usage patterns to ascertain whether
additional rate adjustments are recommended at this time. Staff will also regularly
review parking usage during the implementation of the plan to determine if or when
rates may need to be adjusted.
New Technologies
On November 9, 2010, Council approved the purchase of additional pay-on-foot
machines necessary to automate downtown Structures 1-6. These machines have
been ordered and are expected to be installed in early spring 2011. Additionally, staff
has implemented a new parking website that consolidates parking information in one
location at www.smgov.net/parking, including new user-friendly Google-based real time
.parking maps. Staff is also exploring various potential smart phone applications.
Wayfinding Improvements
Current data shows that the system of structures is not used consistently; some
structures are near capacity, while other structures have vacancies. Improving
information which notifies parkers of available spaces before they reach the downtown
core will greatly increase the efficiency of the system. The City currently has Metro
grant funding for a project that will display real time parking and roadway information on
dynamic messaging signs for motorists traveling to Santa Monica beach parking lots
adjacent to the Pier, on Barnard Way and Palisades Beach Road. Signs placed near
off-ramps from the Santa Monica Freeway will also display changeable messages,
including parking information for garages in the Downtown area. All signs will display
clear and concise parking information at the entrance to each parking lot and at key
gateways to the City. When central parking lots fill up, the signs will help to distribute
traffic, increase the efficiency of existing parking resources, and reduce traffic
congestion. Staff is currently working with a consultant on the design and placement of
the signs and, once designed, an installation schedule will be developed.
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The City has received an additional Metro grant for the design and implementation of a
multi-modal traveler information system, which will consist of both static and dynamic
wayfinding signs and online/mobile tools to direct motorists to available parking. This
grant will be funded in FY2012-13. Staff is also requesting funding for additional signs
as part of the fiscal year 2010/11 Capital Improvement Project Budget which will be
considered within the context of the General Fund's overall priorities.
Shuttle
This summer, the routes of Big Blue Bus Lines 4 & 9 which operate in both directions on
4th Street in Downtown will be slightly modified to pick up and drop off passengers
immediately adjacent to the .two pedestrian entrances of the Civic Center Parking
Structure, providing an additional connection for monthly parkers seven days-per week.
Several months prior to the closure of Parking Structure 6, Big Blue Bus will implement
a shuttle between downtown and the Civic Center to encourage more drivers to shift to
this parking. In addition to the proposed joint parking and bus pass, members of the
public will also be able to ride the shuttle by paying the appropriate Big Blue Bus fare.
The route will start at the parking elevator entrance on Civic Center Drive, turn right on
Avenida Mazatlan, left on Olympic Drive, right on Main Street, left on Colorado Avenue,
right on 2nd Street, right on Santa Monica Boulevard, right on 4th Street and right on
Civic Center Drive returning to the Civic Center parking facilities. Shuttle passengers
would have the option of boarding or alighting at any existing Big Blue Bus stops along
the way. Frequency would be every 10-12 minutes during weekday commuting periods
when monthly parkers typically arrive and depart, with schedule adjustments to be
made as necessary to meet travel demand.
The annual operating cost of the Civic Center Parking Structure shuttle would be
approximately $200,000. Depending on demand, the shuttle could also operate on
weekends for an additional cost. Staff is currently working towards identifying funding
options for the shuttle.
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Valet
The City is currently exploring several options to provide valet service within the
downtown utilizing the City-owned property at 5th and Arizona including valet-assist,
valet with one stand on 4th Street or as a car storage location for a centralized valet
system. Over the next several months, staff plans to operate different valet systems
and aself-parking option within the lot to ascertain the best operational method from
both a staff and public perspective. Valet operations are authorized by the current
contract with Central Parking Systems, so no further Council action is needed.
Additionally, staff will continue to offer the ability for merchants to purchase validations
to provide discounted parking to customers.
Parking Meter Pilot program
The Walker Parking Study identified that to best manage parking in the downtown, the
City should. maximize the efficient use of parking meter spaces. In order to facilitate this,
staff will be implementing a parking meter pilot project this month to determine which
multi-function meters best meet the needs of the City and provide the best customer
experience. All the meters in the pilot project will accept credit cards and be linked to a
central computer program that allows for more efficient meter management, including.
alerts of malfunctions. Two companies responded to the request to demonstrate single-
head meters and are part of the first demonstration project. The project locations are:
• Main Street Santa Monica, between Pico Blvd, and Colorado Ave.
• Second Street, between Wilshire Blvd., and Broadway
• Fifth Street, between Wilshire Blvd., and Broadway
• Ocean Ave. between Wilshire Blvd., and Colorado Ave.
The City is also exploring demonstrating multi-space meters in additional locations. The
pilot will last approximately three months. Staff is also requesting funding to purchase
new parking meters as part of the fiscal year 2010/11 Capital Improvement Project
Budget which will be considered within the context of the General Fund's overall
priorities. If the capital funds are approved as part of the budget process, staff will bring
to Council proposed changes to parking meter rates consistent with the Walker Parking
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Study recommendations which would increase revenue to offset the purchase of the
new meters and provide additional General Fund revenues that could be used to further
initiatives outlined in this report.
Bike Transit Center
This fall the City will be opening a Bike Transit Center at Santa Monica Place Parking
Structures 7 & 8, providing another option for visitors to the downtown. The Bike Transit
Center will support the efforts of employers, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., .and the
Convention and Visitors Bureau to encourage employees, residents, and visitors to
choose green transportation. The Center will include two access-controlled areas with
space to securely park. over. 250 bikes and changing facilities for commuters. The
Center will provide bike-related services such as retail, bike repair, bike rental, attended
bike parking, tours, and public information on walking, transit, biking, and related
"green" events and services.
Next Steps
Staff with Kimley-Horn and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. will monitor the success of the
Plan and will adjust as needed. Staff will. also present monthly updates to Downtwon
Santa Monica, Inc. that will be available to the general public and Council via the City's
website.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
If the maximum target of 500 monthly pass holders took advantage of the price
incentive, parking revenue would decrease by $82,500 per year
The Fourth Modification to the lease with Douglas Emmett for Parking Structure No. 2
will result in a net increase in revenue to the City of approximately $170,000 annually.
This is based on the assumption that the City will use the relinquished spaces for daily
parkers who generate $180 per space per month, net of the $20 payment to Douglas
Emmett, and that Douglas Emmett will only be purchasing permits for 75 spaces, rather
than 155 spaces.
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Funding for other items updated in this report is in existing authorized budgets or will be
presented to Council as part of future fiscal year budgets, such as the shuttle program
with an estimated annual cost of $200,000.
Prepared by: Donald Patterson, Business & Revenue Operations Manager
Approved: ~
Carol Swindell '~/
Director of Finance
Forwarded to Council:
~~
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Amended
Contract No. 1828 (CCS).