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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8348 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8348 Date: 08/21/01 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 1 of 4 +axa SUBJECT: ZOO PARKING Overview On June 15, 2001 the Texas Wild! Exhibit opened at the Fort Worth Zoo. This $40 million exhibit is located on 8 acres in the southeastern section of the zoo. As a result of this exhibit, attendance at the Zoo is expected to increase in the near term. Long term, attendance may level out or may increase somewhat. However, the average visitor stay is expected to increase from 3 to as much as 5 hours. According to Zoo officials, the increase in the visitor stay is not expected to decline in the future. Since the planning process began for the Texas Wild!, the Zoo Association and Parks and Community Services Department staff have been reviewing ways to address the need for more parking. Factors considered include: 1. Current available parking Main Zoo Lot 917 spaces Archery Range 500 spaces (unpaved) River Plaza Lot on University Dr. 222 spaces (Remote; available Sat., Sun. and Holidays only) Total 1,639 2. Projected demand Traffic management studies done in 1987 (City of Fort Worth), 1995 (Barton-Aschman Associates) and 1998 (Gideon-Taal) all generally conclude the following: A. Approximately 23 days per year the main Zoo lot and Archery Range (total 1,417 spaces) may exceed capacity (attendance between 7,800 and 9,700), with lots turning over 2 — 2 '/2 times per day. B. Approximately 8 days per year remote parking will definitely be needed (attendance above 9,700). C. Most of the more significant attendance volumes will occur on spring and summer holiday weekends and Spring Break weeks. D. A total of 2,300 available spaces would result in a parking deficiency, approximately 4 days per year. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8348 J6A'rJr4 Date:08/21/01 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council - Page 2 of 4 +$75 SUBJECT: ZOO PARKING Based on the current available spaces and projected demand, it can be concluded that an additional 600+/- parking spaces are needed to adequately address parking and traffic management in and around the Zoo. Background In October 1994 (City Secretary Contract 20826) the City amended the Zoo Association contract authorizing the Zoo to: 1. Manage, operate and maintain the main lot and Archery Range and Colonial North areas. 2. Charge reasonable parking fees in the designated areas. 3. Pay to the City, $50,000 per year to retire the debt service on the main Zoo lot. 4. Not utilize any additional green space outside the Zoo boundary for parking. The amendment also stipulated that the City should assist the Zoo by making other areas of City property available for Zoo parking. Review Process In order to identify options and priorities to address the projected demand, a public input and review process is being proposed. Zoo Parking Review and Input Process Tentative Schedule DATE ACTION August 21, 2001 Informal Report to City Council August 21, 2001 Park Board Briefing August— September 2001 Selection of Traffic Management and Parking Study Consultant by Zoo Traffic Management and Parking Study Committee October 9, 2001 Mayor and Council Communication for Award of Traffic Management and Parking Study Consulting Contract ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 8348 Date: 08/21/01 PAIM4 r ° To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 4 SUBJECT: ZOO PARKING October 18, 2001 Committee Meeting with Selected Consultant October 25, 2001 First Public Meeting November 15, 2001 Committee Meeting with Consultant to review progress December 6, 2001 Committee Meeting with Consultant to review progress December 13, 2001 Second Public Meeting January 15, 2002 Park Board Action (if necessary) January 29, 2002 City Council Briefing February 5, 2002 City Council Action (if necessary) As part of the review and input process, a traffic management and parking study will be commissioned. This study will update the three (3) previous studies and evaluate current conditions, which will occur as the result of the Texas Wild! Exhibit. The consultant for the study will be selected using a request for qualifications process and the consultant will be selected with the input and assistance of the Zoo Traffic Management and Parking Study Committee. The scope of the study will include: 1) parking and traffic analysis of the Forest Park, Zoo and neighborhood traffic; 2) pedestrian flow and access in Forest Park along Colonial Parkway; 3) Engineering and structural analysis of the Colonial Parkway Bridge; 4) Community input meetings; and 5) development of transportation, traffic, pedestrian and parking alternatives to meet the needs of Forest Park, the Zoo and the adjoining neighborhoods. The Zoo Traffic Management and Parking Study Committee has been established with the purpose of reviewing current conditions and alternatives and developing options for public input. The committee is comprised of City Council member Wendy Davis, Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services Director, Diana Vazquez, Traffic Engineer, Transportation and Public Works, Mike Fouraker, Zoo Director, Greg Hughes, Board Member, Fort Worth Transportation Authority and representatives from the Mistletoe Heights and Berkley Neighborhood Associations. The first meeting of this group was held on July 26, 2001 to begin a dialogue on parking needs and possible solutions. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.8348 Date; 08/21/01 " " �*r To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 4 of 4 r613 SUBJECT: ZOO PARKING During the interim period, the Zoo Association will be allowed to utilize the northwestern section of the agreement-authorized area (area within the Zoo boundary) adjacent to Colonial Parkway for overflow parking. Currently this area is not fenced within the Zoo boundary and is utilized for soccer play. Use of the area in this manner is allowable under the contract and City Code and will occur subject to conditions approved by the City and only when appropriate triggering factors occur. Unless directed otherwise, staff will initiate the review process as outlined above. Should the City Council have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Joe Paniagua, Interim Assistant City Manager or Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services Director. �,Ga W. ck on City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS