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Projects:
Montpelier City Hall
Rear Lot Parking Structure Study
Main Page
NOTE: This project has been completed.
This page exists for archival purposes.
Description of the Project
The City of Montpelier hired the firm of Wilbur Smith Associates in the Spring of 2003 to assess
the feasibility of constructing a parking structure on one or both of two parking
lots behind City Hall and to develop of a conceptual design of such a facility.
The overall goal is to increase the supply of vehicular parking in the core of
the downtown. If a structure can fit on one of the two lots behind City Hall,
what might it look like? What might be the net gain of parking spaces? What impacts
will need to be addressed?
Montpelier has been struggling with the issue of parking (not enough of it where
people want it) for decades. While some strides have been made, the demand for
the creation of more parking spaces in the downtown is at an all-time high.
Parking
Committee Report, to the City Council, May 4, 2001 - 223 KB, 
Written by Mary S. Hooper for the Montpelier Parking Committee
Project Location
- click on image for larger view -
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Objectives
General objectives of the project are to:
- Determine upon which lot, if either, a parking structure could be most
effectively sited and constructed;
- Assess the range of potential impacts of a parking structure on the selected
lot;
- Develop a conceptual design for a parking structure on the selected lot;
- Develop preliminary cost estimates based on the above; and
- Provide information to and solicit input from the public and local officials.
Issues and factors to be considered in assessing the sites' feasibility include, but are not limited to:
- Adequacy of vehicular access and circulation and associated necessary
improvements;
- Potential traffic impacts;
- Adequacy of pedestrian access and circulation and associated necessary
improvements;
- Impacts on adjacent and surrounding buildings;
- Net increase in number of parking spaces;
- Property owner issues;
- Aesthetics;
- Location of existing utilities;
- Flood plain and permitting issues; and
- Necessary massing and scale of a functional structure.
Schedule & Scope of Work
Work got underway in early May 2003. A final report is expected by early September.
Below is an outline of expected tasks and meetings:
Step I - Issue Identification & Preliminary Assessment
- Data gathering
- Public Meeting #1 - June 5, 2003, 7:00-9:00 p.m., City Hall
Identify issues and concerns of the general public, business owners, and property
owners
- Develop conceptual parking garage footprints at each site
- Evaluate sites
Potential Parking Garage Impacts:
- Vehicle access & circulation
- Pedestrian access & circulation
- Safety & security
- Truck access & delivery
- Emergency vehicle access & operations
- Vehicle & pedestrian access to surrounding buildings
- Aesthetics of the surrounding area
- Utilities
- Flood plain & permitting issues
- Traffic congestion on the surrounding street network
- Other issues as identified by the public
Potential net increase in parking spaces
Performance Measures:
- Positive impact
- No impact
- Low negative impact
- Severe negative impact
Step II - Determine Feasibility: Summarize preliminary assessment and decide
next steps
- Public Meeting #2 - Parking Committee - September 29, 2003
- Study amended to include review of collaborative effort with Duane Wells, a neighboring property owner.
- Go/No go decision based on preliminary assessment and public input
Step III - Develop Conceptual Plans and Cost Estimates (delayed)
- Prepare conceptual footprints, elevations, and cross sections
- Prepare order of magnitude capital and operating costs
- Review findings with City officials
- Public Meeting #3 - Parking Committee
- Public Meeting #4 - present findings to City Council
Step IV - Final Report
- Summarizes all previous work; includes executive summary
- Identifies next steps and cost of design and engineering for parking structures
(if recommended)
For More Information
Updated April 14, 2006 |
