LexPark presents to Council
LexPark, the agency that oversees public parking in Lexington, presented an update on their work in Tuesday’s Council Work Session. Vice Mayor Dan Wu asked LexPark to present to Council following their decision to increase parking meter rates starting in January 2023. You can read about the rate increases here.
The presentation gave a broad overview of LexPark’s scope, past, present, and future projects, and addresses their reasoning behind the meter rate increases. You can view the presentation slides on page 15 of this packet.
Many downtown business owners and employees spoke against the parking changes, citing specific concerns over the new enforcement hours and the lack of public input on the decision. Councilmembers shared the same concerns, but decided not to take any action at this time and instead give LexPark the opportunity to incorporate all of the public comment they have received in the month since the changes were announced.
It’s important to remember that Council, as of now, has no direct oversight of LexPark. Any action they could take in the future on the matter would likely be giving themselves more oversight in some fashion.
You can watch a recording of the meeting on LexTV.
UPDATE: LexPark’s Board of Directors approved a plan to adjust their street meter enforcement hours. Effective as of Thursday, February 23rd, enforcement of parking meters will be from 9am to 7pm on weekdays, and parking will now be free on Saturdays and Sundays.
LexPark made these changes after a deal with LFUCG to charge the city more for city employee’s parking spots in LexPark’s garages during the workday — city employees themselves do not pay for parking, but LFUCG buys spots for all of its employees through the annual budget. Charging the city more will make up for LexPark’s projected financial shortfalls, which were the impetus for changing street meter enforcement rates originally.
They also passed a motion to contract a lobbying firm to help them advocate against Senate Bill 75, a bill in the Kentucky State Legislature which would force Council to approve any changes LexPark would make to street parking. You can read more about SB 75 in the Herald-Leader's write-up here.
