[OMS_MANAGERS] Parking Question

[David Milliron]

Hi Jamie,
It's great that you're thinking proactively about improving the customer experience while also supporting local businesses.
One way to approach this without alienating business owners is by framing the conversation around mutual benefit. You could highlight that by keeping street parking available for customers, it not only makes it more convenient for them but can also lead to increased business foot traffic and higher sales. Rather than focusing on what business owners should or shouldn't do, try positioning it as a community effort to enhance downtown accessibility for everyone.
A few ideas to consider:

  1.  Educational Campaign: Instead of a flyer that may come across as directive, think about creating an "awareness campaign" that showcases the benefits of parking in free lots. Use language like "Help Our Main Street Thrive - Keep Customer Parking Open!" You can emphasize the potential benefits of customers finding parking easily and spending more time in the shops.
  2.  Positive Incentives: You might create a fun competition or incentive program for business owners who park in designated lots. Perhaps offer a "Local Business of the Month" feature for participants, with recognition on social media or in a local newsletter.
  3.  Business Engagement: Hold a brief workshop or meeting with business owners to discuss this issue together. Often, when business owners are part of the solution-making process, they're more likely to adopt changes willingly. You can present the parking map at the meeting and brainstorm creative solutions with their input.
  4.  Collaborative Messaging: Instead of a flyer, you could also use social media or email newsletters to remind businesses of the free parking options and how they benefit their customers. You could use light-hearted, friendly language like "Let's make it easy for our customers to visit - more parking, more sales!"
By engaging businesses as partners in the solution, you can help foster a positive atmosphere while still addressing the parking issue. Feel free to adapt any of these ideas based on what you think will resonate best with your business community.
Best regards,
David
---
David A. Milliron, Credentialed City Manager (ICMA-CM)
City of North Bend, 835 California Ave, OR 97459-0014
541-756-8536 | dmilliron at northbendcity.org<mailto:dmilliron at northbendcity.org>
North Bend: Coast, Community, Culture<https://www.northbendoregon.us/>.



From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Jamie Zamrin
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 12:11 PM
To: oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] Parking Question

Happy Friday!

Wondering if anyone has a suggestion about how to encourage business owners to park in free public parking lots (a block or two away from their business) instead of street parking (directly in front of their business)? We are running into an issue where customers are not finding parking directly in front of the businesses on our main street, so some business owners are concerned about losing quick drop-in customers.

We have thought about creating a flyer along the lines of "Be kind to your customers - leave the street parking for them". We also have a map created for the business owners which highlights all of the free parking lots available. Any thoughts or ideas would be very helpful.

Thank you!


Jamie Zamrin
Economic Development Specialist
Office (503) 980-6307 | Cell (503) 951-1569

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