6.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 05/26/2026
- From:
- Gail Brockman, Park Flag
- Department:
- Economic Vitality
Co-Submitter:
David McIntire
TITLE:
Downtown Curbside Assessment: Project Update and Draft Recommendations
DESIRED OUTCOME:
Provide City Council with an update on the Downtown Curbside Assessment process, present preliminary curbside management recommendations, receive feedback and answer questions.
Executive Summary:
ParkFlag will provide City Council with an update on the Downtown Curbside Assessment and the ongoing development of the Downtown Curbside Management Plan. Staff will also introduce representatives from Dixon Resources Unlimited, who will join the meeting virtually to provide an overview of the assessment process, summarize key findings to date, and present draft recommendations.
Since January 2026, the City has been working with Dixon Resources Unlimited to evaluate curbside operations within the Downtown Parking District. This effort has focused on parking utilization, loading and delivery activity, and overall curbside management efficiency. The project has included field observations, on-site assessments, parking occupancy and turnover studies, and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.
Outreach has included input from external partners such as the Downtown Business Alliance, local businesses, and delivery and freight operators, as well as internal stakeholders including Traffic Engineering, Code Compliance, and Sustainability. This collaborative approach has helped identify both current conditions and opportunities to better balance the diverse and growing demands on downtown curb space. Additionally, a survey was provided to the public to learn about customer experience and perceptions.
Preliminary recommendations have been developed based on initial findings. Because the first round of data collection occurred during a lower-demand seasonal period and coincided with the university’s winter break, staff is conducting an additional round of occupancy and turnover studies. This supplemental data will help ensure the final recommendations reflect typical conditions and peak-period activity.
Next Steps: In the coming months, staff will complete the remaining data collection and continue refining draft recommendations. A second round of stakeholder and public outreach is planned for June to present updated findings and gather feedback on potential strategies. Staff anticipates returning to City Council in August 2026 with a final Downtown Curbside Management Plan and associated recommendations for Council consideration.
Since January 2026, the City has been working with Dixon Resources Unlimited to evaluate curbside operations within the Downtown Parking District. This effort has focused on parking utilization, loading and delivery activity, and overall curbside management efficiency. The project has included field observations, on-site assessments, parking occupancy and turnover studies, and engagement with a broad range of stakeholders.
Outreach has included input from external partners such as the Downtown Business Alliance, local businesses, and delivery and freight operators, as well as internal stakeholders including Traffic Engineering, Code Compliance, and Sustainability. This collaborative approach has helped identify both current conditions and opportunities to better balance the diverse and growing demands on downtown curb space. Additionally, a survey was provided to the public to learn about customer experience and perceptions.
Preliminary recommendations have been developed based on initial findings. Because the first round of data collection occurred during a lower-demand seasonal period and coincided with the university’s winter break, staff is conducting an additional round of occupancy and turnover studies. This supplemental data will help ensure the final recommendations reflect typical conditions and peak-period activity.
Next Steps: In the coming months, staff will complete the remaining data collection and continue refining draft recommendations. A second round of stakeholder and public outreach is planned for June to present updated findings and gather feedback on potential strategies. Staff anticipates returning to City Council in August 2026 with a final Downtown Curbside Management Plan and associated recommendations for Council consideration.
Information:
December 2025
- ParkFlag and project consultants from Dixon Resources Unlimited initiated stakeholder outreach and coordination efforts.
- Meetings were conducted with key stakeholders and partner groups, including the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), Community Enhancement Committee, Sustainability, Planning, Streets and Engineering and Finance.
- ParkFlag conducted parking occupancy counts and turnover studies throughout the Downtown Parking District to collect baseline utilization data for analysis.
- Field observations and curbside assessments were completed to evaluate parking demand, loading activity, and curbside operations.
- A public survey was released to encourage community participation and gather feedback regarding downtown parking and curbside needs.
- ParkFlag will conduct an additional round of parking occupancy and turnover studies to capture more representative peak-period utilization data.
- Dixon Resources Unlimited will continue stakeholder presentations, outreach efforts, and coordination with community partners as draft recommendations are refined.
- Staff anticipates presenting the finalized Downtown Curbside Management Plan and recommendations to City Council for consideration.