Mandan Parking Authority Reduces Boundaries for 90-Minute Parking

The Mandan Parking Authority met Feb. 9 to review the impact of recent changes to downtown parking arrangements. Based on staff recommendations plus input from commercial property owners and business operators, Parking Authority members voted to reduce boundaries for on-street parking subject to 90-minute restrictions.

The main area where long duration parking is now allowed is the south side of First Street between Collins Avenue and Fourth Avenue NW. The change provides additional options for employees of downtown businesses and agencies as well as their customers and clients who need more time. The changes in enforcement became effective immediately. Signage for the 90-minute restrictions will be removed as schedules for the Public Works Department allow.

The Parking Authority will continue to evaluate parking supply, demand and turnover as downtown redevelopment occurs and businesses move into the district. The overall goal of changes made last fall and since January 1 to Mandan’s downtown parking arrangements is to assure convenient parking is available on the street and adjacent to businesses for customers.

The City of Mandan introduced a courtesy ticket in 2010 for those who park over the limit in a time-restricted area without a violation in the previous 180 days. The purpose of the courtesy ticket is to avoid offending shoppers and visitors, while providing guidance on parking for extended stays.

Recent parking changes have included eliminating fees for parking in public lots on the south side of Main Street, a previous reduction in the 90-minute time-restricted boundaries, increased fines for violations, and increased frequency and scope of enforcement. The increased parking fines and enforcement were implemented in 2010 to dissuade longer duration users from parking in these areas best left to customers, encouraging instead the use of designated lots and lower demand areas.

Feb. 9 actions also included the removal of a few smaller street segments from the 90-minute boundaries:
• the easterly portion of the north side of First Street NE between Collins Avenue and First Avenue NE,
• the east sides of Collins Avenue and First Avenue NW between First Street NW and Second Street NW, and
• the west side of Fourth Avenue NW between Main Street and First Street NW.

Restrictions on overnight parking for alternating days of the week still apply throughout the area to allow for snow removal and street maintenance.

A brochure with a map showing the new boundaries and various types of parking in downtown Mandan will be distributed to area businesses.

The Parking Authority consists of five downtown business operators. To share ideas or concerns with the Parking Authority, call the Police Department at 667-3455. The next meeting is tentatively planned for June 2010.