CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass an ordinance amending Title 11 (Motor Vehicles) Chapter 2 (Parking) to convert the top levels of the Van Buren and Water Street parking facilities to permit-only parking (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Deputy Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has heard growing concerns from residents and downtown business owners and patrons regarding disruptive vehicle behavior both downtown and citywide. Specific concerns were expressed about activities in and around the downtown parking garages. With the decreased parking demand caused by the pandemic, more parking spaces were available and large groups began congregating on the upper levels of the Water Street and Van Buren decks. Ongoing gatherings and multiple incidents of vandalism led to the top levels of the decks being closed on September 11, 2020 and April 16, 2021, respectively.
DISCUSSION:
As the pandemic restrictions have eased, activity within the downtown area has increased and parking demand is growing. The 234 spaces currently closed at Water Street and Van Buren will be valuable during the busy holiday season. The top level of the Van Buren garage was opened on Monday, October 4 as a test. On the following Tuesday night, October 5, a large crowd of between 75 and 100 individuals gathered on the top level. The top level was promptly re-closed and remains closed.
Staff from the City Manager's Office, Department of Public Works, Transportation, Engineering, and Development (TED) Business Group, and Police met with representatives from the Downtown Naperville Alliance (DNA) to discuss the situation and develop options to re-open the top levels of the deck while also addressing public safety. Several near- and long-term options were discussed, with some needing addi...
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