A parking study by the City of Arcadia indicates there is a surprising number of parking spaces in the downtown area centered at First Avenue and Huntington Drive, and that less than half are occupied event at peak times.
This was good news for members of the Arcadia Downtown Business Association which is trying to revitalize the area with more businesses and more shoppers to emulate revived downtown areas in Monrovia, Old Pasadena, and other cities in the San Gabriel Valley.
Most in attendance at the monthly Arcadia Downtown Business Association meeting Sept. 27 (meetings on the fourth Monday of each month are open to the public at Arcadia Association of Realtors on First Avenue) were surprised to hear that there are 3,200 spaces in the area that covers Santa Anita Avenue to Second Avenue and south to California Street and north to St. Joseph. But many of those parking spaces are not available to the public, limited to the business owner’s employees and customers.
Officials said 46% of the spaces, both public and private, are occupied at peak hours of 11 a.m. weekdays, and 65% of those parked on Huntington Drive between First and Second Avenues at those peak hours are long-term parkers. As much as 92% of the cars parked there at 6 p.m. are long-term parkers. The 46% occupancy rate at the 11 a.m. peak is far less than many other cities that have 57% – 65% of spaces filled at peak hours. They also noted that 11 a.m. is a much earlier peak time of day than other cities that have peak parking at 1 p.m., such as Santa Monica and Lake Avenue in Pasadena.
This means there is ample opportunity for business and retail development in the area, city consultants reported — 1,260 spots are available within 1/4-mile of the planned Gold Line station at First Avenue and Santa Clara across from 24 Hour Fitness. However, the typical walking distance from a parking space is about 1 1/2 blocks.
The City also reported on results from a recent resident survey, which generated 160 responses, a big percentage from readers of this site at ArcadiasBest.com. About 84% of respondents were Arcadia residents. Seventy-percent said they spend less than 1-hour in the Downtown area when they park, with the majority saying parking is relatively wasy, convenient, and safe.
Other survey findings:
* Restaurants, retail, and bars were the top three most suggested new offerings in the Downtown area.
* Less than 20% want paid parking in the area.
* Less than 25% want the property owner to pay for parking
Based on all this, the City does not recommend paid parking in the area or assessing fess to property or business owners to pay for parking.
— By Scott Hettrick