Subject:   INCREASE TO CONVENTION CENTER GARAGE PARKING RATES

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT:  ­ 3

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Parking Rate Resolution increasing parking rates at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center parking garage.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On April 11, 2001, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 70288, which established parking rates for the City's parking facilities.  It is necessary to adopt a new resolution to incorporate the above recommendation.  All other parking rates contained in Resolution No. 68721 will be incorporated into the new resolution without change.

 

Since June 1992, visitor parking rates at the Convention Center garage have not changed.  The monthly rate has been in effect since 1998. There is a high demand for the parking at the Convention Center garage, with the garage frequently reaching capacity.  The parking rates at this garage should be increased to reflect the premium nature of these spaces, and to be competitive with current rates at other public and private facilities in the vicinity of the Convention Center. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

Demand for parking in the vicinity of the Convention Center is currently very high.   The Convention Center garage provides premium parking as it is located within the Convention Center.  The premium nature of this parking will increase in the next year as the available supply of visitor parking in the area is decreased due to pending developments in the Convention Center area.

 

During large events, most facilities in the Convention Center area charge an event rate. The weekday, daytime event rates currently charged at both public and private facilities in the vicinity vary between $7.00 and $15.00 for an average event requiring three hours of parking.

 

Monthly parking rates at both public and private facilities within the vicinity of the Convention Center vary between $30.00 at a public lot far from the Convention Center to $135.00 for an unreserved parking space at a garage a block away.

 

It is proposed that the parking rates at the Convention Center garage be increased as follows:

 

                                                                 Current Rates                       Proposed Rates

 

Day Rate                                                $5                                         $10

Evening – after 6pm                                $3                                           $4

Exhibitor in/out day pass                         $7                                         $20

Monthly Rate                                        $60                                       $100

 

There are no proposed changes to the Library Validation Program, which is currently in operation at the Convention Center garage.

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

The proposed parking rates were approved by the Downtown Parking Board at their June 4, 2001 meeting.  A concern was raised by a member of the arts community regarding the impact this rate increase will have on service workers in the Downtown.  Staff will work to find more affordable parking alternatives.   

 

COORDINATION

 

The proposed modifications to the parking rate resolution have been coordinated with the Department of Conventions, Arts & Entertainment, the City Attorney's Office, and the Library Department.

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

If approved, it is anticipated that these rate increases will generate an additional $800,000 in net revenue annually.  These net revenues will support the operation of the Convention Center.

 

 

WAYNE K. TANDA, Director

Department of Transportation