Jun 21st 2019 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Mary Scott Nabers

Parking has become a critical consideration for governmental entities throughout the country. In the next 18 months, there will be thousands of upcoming opportunities related to planning, designing, engineering, and constructing new parking facilities. Not only is parking critical to public agencies, but it also is of the highest concern to cities, counties, colleges and universities, sports complexes, cultural and tourist venues, hospitals, and health-care facilities.

Here are just a few of the many examples.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is ready to solve its parking problems, and a statewide procurement is underway for a private sector firm to provide a comprehensive parking study. The analysis will prioritize needs and make suggestions related to various types of parking structures. And the study will focus on parking as it intersects with public transit, autonomous vehicles, and transit facilities. In the not too distant future, other contracting opportunities will be released …but now is the time for interested contractors to be visiting stakeholders and public officials. These public officials prefer to contract and do business with companies they know and trust. Relationships that are solidified before a company responds to any type of solicitation are extremely important.

State officials in California are also seeking guidance about how to address their parking needs throughout the state. A new report has been ordered that will focus particularly on facilities at Caltrans Headquarters offices in Sacramento, the Caltrans District Office in San Diego, and 12 Caltrans district offices. Numerous other locations have also been identified as high priority areas. Following a review of the study, various types of contracting opportunities can be anticipated.

The city of Wichita, Kansas, has announced plans to build a six-level, 543-space parking garage and bus station. The parking facility will be located adjacent to the new ballpark, and cost projections are that construction will cost approximately $17.5 million. Like many sports venues, the city’s new development was designed to combat traffic congestion as much as possible, but additional parking is needed now. When completed, sports fans, as well as citizens working or visiting downtown will have a new, modern and secure place to park. Solicitations have not been released.

A working group appointed by the Planning Commission in Breckenridge, Colorado, is preparing to construct a new city parking structure that will contain 688 inside vehicle spaces, 255 exterior surface spaces, and accommodations for bicycle parking and public restrooms. A final report on the plan is anticipated soon.

Officials at the city of Gallatin, Tennessee, recently agreed to partner with Sumner County to build a multi-million-dollar parking structure. The facility will be near the Gallatin Public Library as well as alongside a new criminal justice center. Plans call for the parking garage to have approximately 450 vehicle spaces. The project’s cost is estimated to be just under $10 million.

City leaders in Scottsdale, Arizona, have been dealing with parking shortages since 2015, and they appear ready to remedy the situation. Parking facilities are needed in various areas. A study was completed some time ago, but there is still controversy over exactly where to locate the first parking structure. Voters will be asked to approve a bond package in the fall that includes funding for a large parking garage. Whatever the final verdict is on location, it appears all parties agree that the need for parking facilities can no longer be ignored.

A parking facility will be part of the development of a downtown construction project that will provide government offices for Broward County employees and Fort Lauderdale city employees. The delivery method and whether or not private sector partners will be engaged is still under consideration. The joint office complex will also have a bus terminal and a plaza near the parking garage.

The University of Texas at Dallas plans to construct a new parking facility. Executives issued a solicitation for the design work; however, they decided recently to hold up on the project while consideration is given to possibly combining the new parking structure with a new museum building and arts complex that is also in the planning stage for the university campus. University and college campuses are prime targets for new parking structures.

Commissioners in Gregg County, Texas, have purchased land for a new parking structure. A study reported that the county needs approximately 600 more spaces for workers, visitors, and citizens. Additionally, commissioners at the city of Rehoboth, Delaware, also have given approval for a solicitation that will result in a new parking garage in that state.

There are hundreds of these types of upcoming opportunities. Companies with any type of offerings related to parking structures will find a robust marketplace for their services.

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As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements.