Atrick Kirkpatrick, director of urban planning at ADG GLAD, presented a 2023 update to Edmond's 2020 downtown parking study, comparing occupancy and turnover trends and recommending operational changes to increase short‑term turnover and direct visitors to underused off‑street parking.

"People will complain about a parking problem, but you only were using 54% at your peak count, period," Kirkpatrick said, summarizing a primary finding: weekday peak occupancy measured in 2023 was roughly 46% on average across the study area compared to higher counts in 2019, and the highest midday on‑street usage observed reached about 54% in the counted area. The study counted on‑ and off‑street supply and, where construction temporarily removed spaces, projected that a new parking garage and restored on‑street spaces would result in a net increase of about 112 spaces for the specific counted area once construction is complete.

Kirkpatrick said weekend counts tell a different story: the study recorded a Saturday average occupancy of roughly 38% across the study area but observed localized spikes during special events (farmers market and home‑game day activity) where some facilities reached 66%–90% occupation. The consultant said special events materially affect local availability for several hours and recommended that the city plan for those demand spikes.

The update also measured turnover on Broadway and adjacent side streets and found an increased reliance on on‑street spaces for short visits. Consultants recommended several operational steps to protect short‑term customer parking: consistent signage enforcing the existing three‑hour time limit in more areas, consideration of fifteen‑minute or thirty‑minute spots near high‑turnover destinations, clearer wayfinding and online parking information, and better promotion of off‑street public lots. Kirkpatrick recommended the city consider a defined employee parking program and a residential permit program for neighborhoods experiencing spillover parking.

Council members discussed retaining free parking in downtown while improving signage and turnover. One councilmember said she would not support paid on‑street meters but supported clearer time‑limit signage to encourage turnover. Several council members urged stronger wayfinding to guide visitors to public lots and noted the value of city‑owned off‑street inventory compared with private lots in other districts.

Staff did not present a resolution for immediate adoption; the consultant asked council to direct staff to review the recommendations with downtown business and property owners and relevant boards. A council member instructed staff to "take a look at the recommendations and work with the downtown business owners and property owners and our Central Edmond Urban District Board and DIVA to see which ones make sense to proceed with." That direction will guide next steps in implementation planning.

Ending — next steps: Staff will review the study's operational recommendations with stakeholders, pursue improved wayfinding, and return with proposals for signage and any pilot programs for time limits, employee parking or residential permits.