This Target 8 investigation reveals the city of Columbia ignored its own parking study to build the 5th and Walnut parking garage. See the video on KOMU.com
http://www.komu.com/news/walnut-and-5th-parking-garage-not-attracting-new-par...
In 2001, Columbia commissioned a transportation consultant Transystems Corporation to evaluate the need for additional parking downtown.
Transystems' final recommendation was to add 300 spaces north of Broadway to "meet projected future demands" and "aid in accommodating special events." This would increase the number of empty spaces downtown during peak times and leave an "excess available to handle special events."
But the garage the city eventually built has 703 spaces, more than double Transystems' recommendation. The cost--with interest--will be 21 million dollars, and the city won't pay it off in full until 2034.
There are 703 spaces. Of those, 520 called "permit" spaces, are for rent by anyone who wants to pay 50 to 60 dollars a month. Right now, 139 of those spaces, or about 27% are occupied. Of those, 36 are city vehicles parked on the roof. City employees use 59 more spaces, but get to park free as part of their benefits package. 8 additional people transferred from other garages. The number of new monthly parking customers for the city thanks to this garage is 36.
"I personally think the 5th and Walnut parking garage was overbuilt," said Mayor Bob McDavid. "I think had it been a 300 space garage you wouldn't be interviewing me right now." McDavid was elected after the decision to construct the 5th and Walnut parking garage was made.
"There were five members of the city council, including myself that were not a part of that decision process. I believe that the process was flawed. We committed $16 million to a garage that is going to lose money for some time," said McDavid.
So who is responsible for the fact that the garage is more than double the recommendation?
Former mayor Darwin Hindman in a telephone interview refused to comment about the garage.
Barbara Hoppe is the only current city council member who was part of the decision process. She never returned KOMU's phone calls.
Other critics blame city employees who work full time and make recommendations to the council who then make final decisions. One critic, Elton Fay, a lawyer for 34 years in Columbia, blames John Glascock, director of public works, for the size of the garage.
"That would be enough in most places to cause somebody to lose their job, over a mistake like this one. And that's what it is--a mistake," said Fay.
The mayor, however, says it's too soon to judge failure or success.
"You know, if we end up with five high-rise office buildings surrounding that 5th and Walnut garage, the people that made the decision will look brilliant," said McDavid. "If, however, it continues to stand solitary and alone monopolizing the skyline in 20 years, they won't look so good."
"Right now I think a lot of people are doubting whether those spaces will ever fill up," said Tony St. Romaine, assistant city manager of Columbia. "But I think if you look at past history of all the other garages that we have built downtown as future development comes there is going to be additional need for parking."
Those future needs might be met by another parking garage to be built on Short Street.
The city is moving forward with plans to build the Short street parking garage up to six stories high. The city employees say that all the other garages except the 5th and Walnut are more than filled to capacity.
Look for a follow up story with more information tomorrow on KOMU.com.
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