A parking study presented to the Aberdeen Town Board revealed a shortfall in downtown parking, driven in part by ongoing development and increased business activity. In light of recent growth, town planners are addressing the problem and looking for solutions.
“With the rapid pace of residential development and influx of a variety of downtown businesses, parking challenges have long been a concern for businesses, residents, and visitors in the downtown area,” explained Downtown Planner Lindy Lamielle in her official presentation given to the board. “The study scope provided data-driven recommendations to improve parking availability, accessibility, and efficiency, supporting both the local community and the central business district’s growth.”
Lamielle shared findings from Walker Consultants, who were commissioned by the Downtown Aberdeen Advisory Board to assess parking needs.
A community stakeholder meeting was held on May 5 by Walker Consultants and the Town of Aberdeen to address downtown parking needs. Of the 24 community members who attended the meeting, 75% felt that parking is a problem.
“Key issues included limited walkability and crosswalks, employee parking displacement, ADA accessibility, and safety concerns at certain angled spaces,” reads the study. “Stakeholders supported creating a balance of short- and long-term spaces, time-limited parking to improve turnover, and clearer signage and wayfinding. Additional ideas discussed included shared parking agreements, delivery and curbside zones, bike lanes, and hours-of-operation adjustments. Overall, there was strong consensus for updated parking regulations, particularly implementing time-limited parking, coupled with better communication and education to ensure public awareness and support.”
During an analysis conducted by Walker Consultants, a peak weekday demand of 826 spaces was identified, while only 595 spaces are currently available, resulting in a deficit of 231 spaces.
Via Walker Consultants.
The analysis used “shared parking methodology” to account for variations in demand by time, season, and land use. Recommendations include creating shared-use agreements and redevelopment opportunities that could add up to 282 spaces.
“Shared Parking is defined as the ability to use the same parking resource by multiple nearby or adjacent land uses without encroachment,” explained representatives from Walker. “Shared parking considers the parking demand for more than 55 different land uses, the availability and use of alternative modes of transportation, captive market effects, and daily, hourly, and seasonal variations.”
Walker consultants proposed a parking allocation plan designating 514 spaces for short-term use and 463 for long-term. Short-term parking would be concentrated near commercial corridors such as South Poplar and West Main Streets, while long-term parking would be located in peripheral areas like Tarbell and Exchange Streets.
“It is recommended that parking spaces along commercial corridors with existing on-street parking be designated as short-term parking. This allows patrons easier access to businesses through both parking locations and short-term parking turnover.”
The plan avoids the immediate use of parking meters, suggesting time limits and monitoring the area to manage turnover. Consultants say the surplus allows flexibility for future growth and supports downtown accessibility for residents and visitors.
The study is intended for planning purposes and will be reviewed further by the Downtown Board and Planning Board before any recommendations are brought forward.
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~ Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
