Lauderdale seeking feedback on parking

Smartphones may help you find and reserve a parking space in Fort Lauderdale someday.

That’s one of the tools being considered to improve parking availability for a growing number of residents and tourists, said Frank Castro, parking services manager for the city.

“If you’re going to the theater you can dial in, look at the app and see exactly where the parking is available, what it’s going to cost you, [and] even reserve parking before you get there so that you know you have a space.”

Other ideas include using the existing Pay To Park app to buy rides on the planned Wave streetcar, Brightline express trains, and other public transportation, he said.

“We’re asking the community to come out and give us their input on how they feel about parking,” Castro said. “They are our end-user.”

Six-year beach resident Paul Chettle was among the dozen or so people that showed up to an information meeting at city hall Monday night and he’s heard this all before.

“I’m aware that the city had a previous parking master plan,” he said. “I don’t think they adhered to it. I don’t think they paid attention to it.”

Castro said that was for the barrier islands. This study is for all of Fort Lauderdale.

The city is spending about $160,000 to have consultants look at existing parking, citywide supply and demand, and overall parking needs so that finding a spot is effortless.

“We want to make your parking experience forgettable,” said Erin Emmons, of Kimley-Horn, the consulting firm the city hired.

Part of the data gathering includes a citywide parking study with an anonymous online survey asking 24 multiple-choice questions that focus on walking, bicycling, mass transit, driving, and parking habits in the city.

The survey also asks people what kind of parking improvements they would like to see in Fort Lauderdale and offers a dozen suggestions that include a better use of technology to manage and pay for parking.

The city operates about 11,000 parking spaces, Castro said, and is considering partnering with private parking operators to maximize their potential.

“Why spend the money to build a $22 million garage when maybe we can partner with private garages to get the public out there to help our parking needs,” he said.

Feedback from Monday’s meeting, the online survey and other data will be compiled into a list of possible solutions which will be presented at a future public meeting to determine which ideas will best anticipate and solve future parking challenges.