Think there’s nowhere to park in downtown Lincoln? The city’s parking manager says finding an available space shouldn’t be the problem.
“There’s plenty of parking downtown,” Parking Manager Tony Bisesi said. “Whether it’s during the day, whether it’s night, there is plenty of parking downtown. If you want to go to a parking garage, it’s first hour free.”
The City of Lincoln is asking residents, businesses, employees, students and visitors to share their experiences as part of a yearlong Downtown Parking Study. An online survey and interactive map opened Wednesday and will remain available through Sept. 23. The city says the study will examine how parking and curbside spaces are currently being used and identify changes that could improve access downtown.
Bisesi said parking needs have evolved as downtown itself has changed, pointing to delivery services as one example of increased demand for curb space. “One of the main things we’re looking for in the downtown parking study is the curb space downtown, with DoorDash deliveries,” Bisesi said. “How does the parking operate downtown overall today compared to pre-COVID? Parking’s changing all the time.”
The study will also consider how future development and changing transportation habits could affect parking demand. The city plans to analyze existing conditions, gather public feedback and eventually develop recommendations for managing parking and curbside space.
“We’re looking for the future,” Bisesi said. “So, what does parking look like two years from now, five years from now, ten years from now in downtown Lincoln?”
The city says the final recommendations will be used to develop a roadmap for future parking investments and improvements. The Downtown Parking Study survey is available through Sept. 23, and a link to participate can be found here.