A Lot Of Parking In Downtown Elmhurst: Consultant

ELMHURST, IL – Downtown Elmhurst has a lot of parking, but many disagree, a consultant said this week.

Consultant Nik Davis told the City Council that parking was a big theme of public comments as his firm, Houseal Lavigne, has been working on a downtown plan. But he also said he has never done a downtown plan where parking is not a major talking point.

His report lists four downtown parking decks with a combined 1,600 parking spots, many of them free. The decks are on Addison Avenue and Adelaide, Schiller and First streets.

Their average occupancy ranges from 38 percent to 70 percent, with Schiller the lowest, according to Davis' report. A couple of years ago, the city closed off the top level of the 8-year-old Addison deck because of crime-related issues.

Davis said Elmhurst has more parking decks than most towns its size.

"There are perceptions of parking and that there's a lack of parking," Davis said. "There's also a problem with walking. Some people don't really choose to and (they) want to park in front of the use they're going to."

According to his report, many don't use the parking decks because of uncomfortable driving aisles, lack of mirrors and potential crime.

"The Downtown Plan will need to provide guidance on how to improve public perception of the parking garages and improve utilization," Davis said in the report.

One way to do that, he said, is to improve signage leading people to the decks.

Alderman Chris Jensen noted the lack of use of the Schiller deck, prompting Davis to explain the situation.

"It is surprising to me that people don't know it's around that corner, especially the amount of people who come up Robert Palmer (Drive)," Davis said. "There are people who come up Robert Palmer and don't know that's a parking deck. I know that because we talked to them."

Davis aims to complete the downtown plan near the end of the year. His firm has been holding "listening sessions" with the public.