NEW BUSINESS  11.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

On July 8, 2015, the City Commission accepted the recommendation of the Land Use and Development Committee (LUDC) authorizing the Administration to develop criteria and procedures for parklets to be installed on a temporary basis on Washington Ave. On December 9, 2015, the City Commission approved the Washington Avenue Pilot Parklet Program (“Pilot Parklet Program”) which included design guidelines and a permitting process for program.  On January 13, 2016, the City Commission passed an Ordinance amending Section 122-5 allowing temporary-uses in the public right-of-way to be exempt from concurrency fees and allow the Commission to set the geographic areas for such purpose. On March 9, 2016, the City Commission passed an Ordinance amending Section 82-382(b)(9) to allow sidewalk café permit fees abatements for businesses participating in the Pilot Parklet Program that expired on March 31, 2019.

The Pilot Parklet Program aims to temporarily convert on-street parking spaces into publicly-accessible open space for all to enjoy.

The goals of the program is to re-imagine the potential of city streets, encourage non-motorized transportation, encourage pedestrian activity, and support local businesses.  The Pilot Parklet Program provides an incentive for merchants to enhance the aesthetic of the streetscape and providing an economical solution for increased public open space. They provide amenities like seating, planting, bike parking, and art. Typically the materials consist of semi-permanent decks that expand the pedestrian realm in parking spaces adjacent to businesses allowing business owners to increase outdoor seating, without requiring permanent street redesign and construction.

The administration anticipates bringing an ordinance to extend the Washington Avenue Parklet program to the June 5, 2019 Commission meeting.

At he May 8, 2019 Commission meeting, the Mayor and Commission referred a discussion regarding creating a Parklet Fund of $50,000 to subsidize the cost of converting on-street parking spaces to parklets to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) s part of a broader referral of Washington Avenue incentives.

ANALYSIS:

The City estimates that a parklet con be constructed approximately $20,000 (based on estimated construction costs for a parklet in the 41st Street area) which is currently in development.  In addition, the City has an annual fee of $1,200 for parking spaces converted to parklets under the City Code that cannot be waived as revenues generated are obligated to parking revenue bonds. 

If a parklet fund is created, this parking space costs could be covered by that fund.

These public open spaces will not only contribute to the entities success but will also create a pedestrian friendly environment needed to strengthen the street’s economic viability.

The subsidy for each parklet would be evaluated on a case by case basis by Public Works and Economic Development Departments. 

The Administration has submitted an FY 2019/20 operating budget enhancement through the Economic Development Department recommending a $50,000 contribution to activate and stimulate parklets as part of the Washington Ave Parklet Pilot Program to promote a pedestrian friendly environment necessary and increase the streets economic viability.  For parklets on Washington Avenue which serves the entertainment district, Resort Tax could be a potential source of funding.

CONCLUSION:
The administration recommends that a parklet subsidy be considered as part of the FY 2019/20 budget development process.