Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on April 7, 2025 at 9:30 am

Background

The city is conducting a Parking Rate Study and Comprehensive Review of its downtown parking program. The city retained Walker Consultants to analyze the Bloomington Parking Services Division's operational and regulatory practices. The study will use parking utilization data, peer city studies, cost analysis, and stakeholder feedback to guide the steps forward.

This study includes Downtown Bloomington’s on-street parking, city-owned garages and parking lots, and residential zones. 

Why is this important?

Bloomington maintains thousands of parking spaces within numerous assets that support residents, businesses, visitors, employees, and students throughout Downtown. Parking is often the first and last impression users have of the area. Pricing includes the cost of parking for each type of product, citation fees, and other fees related to parking. Technology plays a key role in how users interact with the parking system, enforcement is conducted, and fees are collected. Consideration of economic and social impacts for each of the related pieces that go into the overall parking strategy are important considerations. This study is intended to identify current operational practices and policies and recommend process improvement strategies. 

Tasks & Methodology

  • Rate Analysis
    • Observe parking and mobility operations and document parking rates for city-owned parking
    • Review fees for public parking and residential permits
    • Evaluate if current rates promote desired distribution of short and long term parkers
  • Parking Policies
    • Review current policies and procedures specified in Title 15 of the City’s municipal code
      • Parking rates (meters, off-street, monthly & residential permits)
      • Citation fee structure, payment collection, penalty and appeals process
      • Administrative process for resident permits
      • Appeals process
      • Benchmarking to a group of peer cities
  • Parking Technology
    • Review current parking equipment used for on-street and off-street parking
    • Provide a plan to replace outdated equipment
    • Explore technologies that reduce friction points, increase payment options, and enhance performance

Public Engagement

Walker will host small group public outreach meetings starting in early summer to discuss downtown parking, parking fees, policy, technology, opportunities, and goals. These meetings will include residents, business owners, students, and city staff. 

We’d love to hear from you! If you are interested in attending a meeting to share your thoughts, please get in touch with Michelle Wahl, Parking Services Director at michelle.wahl@bloomington.in.gov.

Timeline

  • Walker began the study in March 2025, meeting with internal stakeholders and observing the existing conditions
  • Stakeholder meetings will be scheduled for early summer
  • Progress will be updated on this webpage
  • Draft report is anticipated in late summer/early fall

Materials

Past Studies

  • 2018 Desman Study
  • 2012 Walker Study