Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request for TIRZ #1 Funding for a Downtown Parking Management Pilot
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
MEETING DATE: June 2, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Lucas Raley, Director of Planning
Gary Graham, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION:
• Approval of the funding request.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Staff requests funds for a pilot program to manage downtown parking constraints using emerging smart cities technologies, including computer-vision sensors and real-time digital wayfinding signage, that will translate into better parking information access for downtown patrons and improve the overall visitor experience in the Town Center.
• This request is classified as an Innovation/Pilot Project under the Fourth Amended TIRZ No. 1 Project Plan, which specifically anticipates small incubator and pilot projects that support new and unique development concepts or opportunities aligned with the Town Center Study Master Plan. The Project Plan estimates up to $2,000,000 in expenditures for this project category over the life of the TIRZ.
• The pilot program is an eligible project under the TIRZ No. 1 Project Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Staff has been working with AMSYS to create a pilot program to manage downtown parking using smart cities technologies. The goal is to obtain real-time parking availability data through computer-vision technology to understand the occupancy of two high-volume surface parking lots and the Chestnut parking garage.
• Once baseline conditions have been established, digital signs will be installed at the high occupancy S Kentucky and Cloyd Lots that will direct drivers to spots at the Chestnut Garage, which will have an exterior display showing the number of available spaces.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Staff requests $150,000 from the TIRZ No. 1 fund balance to support this pilot program. The request is consistent with the Innovation/Pilot Project category established in the Fourth Amended Project Plan, which is evaluated by staff on a case-by-case basis and brought before the Board for consideration.
• The $150,000 funding request represents approximately 0.6% of the current TIRZ No. 1 unrestricted fund balance (estimated at approximately $20.2 million of the $23.4 million total balance, with $3.2 million restricted for transportation purposes).