The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, in partnership with the City of Savannah, will host community workshops regarding the development of Parking Matters:  A Strategic Plan for Parking + Mobility in Greater Downtown Savannah.  The workshop will be held on two occasions; the meeting materials and formats will be the same.

Thursday, March 3, 2016
4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Presentation at 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express, Magnolia Room
199 E. Bay Street (E. Bay @ Abercorn)
Free parking in Bryan Street garage
(bring ticket for validation at meeting)

Friday, March 4, 2016
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Presentation at Noon
Metropolitan Planning Commission
112. E. State Street (E. State @ Abercorn)
Free parking in State Street garage
(bring ticket for validation at meeting)

The meetings will be held in an open house format, plus a formal presentation, during which the project team will walk through the study findings and recommendations.  The community is welcome to attend at any time.  The workshop will focus on presenting the draft recommendations to improve parking and mobility in the greater downtown Savannah area to the community, with opportunities to ask questions and provide comments to the project team in an informal setting.

Parking Matters identifies the existing parking supply and demand in downtown, incorporate community feedback and suggestions for improving existing parking and transportation mobility options in Savannah, and has developed draft strategies for Downtown Savannah’s parking and transportation system that bolster economic development, provide mobility options, and enhance the overall quality for life for residents, employees, and visitors alike.  Development of the plan is led through the expertise of parking consultants, Nelson\Nygaard.  The study area includes greater downtown Savannah from River Street to Victory Drive and Boundary Street to East Broad Street, as well as the area around Indian Street.

“The design and availability of parking has the potential to shape both the look and experience of a city, the quality of life of its citizens and visitors and the potential for new growth and development. The need to accommodate parking should be balanced with other goals such as livability, mobility, historic character, and economic development,” said Tom Thomson, Executive Director, Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission/CORE MPO and co-project manager.  “This is a very comprehensive study has analyzed current parking supply and utilization and we are now ready to share specific solutions to meet existing and future needs for parking and mobility,” said Veleeta McDonald, Director, City of Savannah Mobility + Parking Services and co-project manager.