Politics & Government

Parking in Ferndale: Why the Changes, and What's Next?

More details from Monday night's City Council discussion on parking rates and enforcement.

Ferndale City Council .

The new rate will be $1 per hour for on-street parking, 75 cents an hour in most lots, 50 cents an hour in one discounted lot, and $1 per hour in all lots after 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The current rate for on-street parking and lots is 50 cents per hour.

Enforcement times will also change to 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday (currently 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.).

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's a closer look at the issue, including more background from Monday night's council meeting.

Parking plans ongoing

The city has been working with the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority to modernize its parking system, including the new multi-space parking meter system approved in September which allows for flexibility in rates and payments.

Find out what's happening in Ferndalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ferndale City Manager April Lynch presented the recommended changes during Monday night's meeting and said the adjustments are all part of a process that started in Nov. 2011 and that will continue after the rate changes.

"We are by no means close to being done," she said.

The process so far has included launching Parkmobile, the establishment of a city management team to work with the DDA on recommendations, a residential parking program started in May 2012, a new free parking option at the American Legion lot, recent parking lot resurfacing and the new multi-space metering system.

Why the rate changes?

The new tiered rate system encourages visitors to use on-street parking for quick trips and parking lots for longer-term shopping and dining, Lynch said, with the idea being to open up the on-street spots more often.

Parking revenue will continue to go into the auto parking fund. Even after paying for the multi-space metering system ($329,743), the city still has $271,000 in that fund.

"This increase in revenue will also go into that fund balance for the future expansion of our parking system," Lynch said.

That could mean a parking deck, more surface lots, increased bike parking or other needs, she said.

The last time the city raised parking rates was in 2004, according to Lynch.

Rates in other cities

Parking consultants with Rich and Associates - which the city has contracted with on the multi-space meters project - compared parking rates from these other area cities in evaluating proposed rates for Ferndale.

  • Royal Oak: On-street rates vary based on location and time of day.
  • Birmingham: On-street parking costs 50 cents to $1 per hour depending on location.
  • Ann Arbor: On-street parking is $1.50 per hour.
  • Mount Clemens: On-street parking costs 75 cents an hour.
  • Detroit: On-street parking is $1 per hour.

The closest off-street lots in Ferndale (map available here) will charge 75 cents an hour, and the Breckenridge Lot/Lot#1 will be the least expensive option at 50 cents an hour.

Parking pass rates

Parking pass rates for employees also increased under a new three-tiered system, with the more convenient lots having higher rates in an effort to leave those lots available for downtown customers.

The current long-term parking pass rate is $80 quarterly or $240 yearly. The new rate is $84 quarterly and $252 yearly for discount lots; $108 quarterly and $324 yearly for standard lots; and $120 quarterly and $360 yearly for premium lots (map here).

But the cost of parking passes for residents in the business district went down - the new rate is $75 for 6 months or $100 yearly (previously $240 yearly).

Resident, business concerns

George Gize, owner of Assaggi Bistro, spoke at the meeting against the rate changes. "You have to facilitate for the customer to come in," he said.

Gize said later during the meeting that employees are not likely to arrive earlier to work so they have time to park further away and walk. Many employees arrive about two minutes before work, he said.

"He's going to park wherever he finds a place to park," he said. "This is America, you are not going to change the behavior ... I hope you understand what you're dealing with."

Ferndale resident Sherry Wells expressed concerns about sufficient parking to accommodate business growth and said that as a resident living downtown, she and her neighbors are often woken up late at night by bar customers and slamming car doors.

She said if the city wants to make enough money from meters to fund a parking deck then it should establish W. Troy Street, W. Saratoga and the north side of Withington as residential-only parking.

'It is a process'

Councilman Dan Martin said the issue is difficult because the city needs to create an environment that supports parking and supports businesses while also investing in the long-term parking system.

"It's a tough one," he said. "It is a process."

Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter said he believes the plan does "a reasonable job of beginning to change behaviors" and also will help build the auto parking fund so that future changes can be made to address more long-term parking needs.

Council members voted unanimously in support of the changes. Council member Mike Lennon was not present at the meeting.

What's next?

The city will begin reviewing data from the new multi-space meter system as soon as possible, Lynch said, with a review likely in September. They will then look at enforcement issues and gaps.

The city's overall parking plan will also need to be updated. Lynch said the plan was completed in 2006 and last amended in 2009.

Mayor Pro Tem Melanie Piana said she wants to see city management also focus on some of the issues brought up by residents, including lack of lighting in lots and issues with enforcement and policing.

"We do need to increase parking [quantity] but it can't be the only goal," she said.

For more information on the new multi-space meters project, stay tuned to www.ferndaleparkplus.com.


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