Parking meter revenue to improve business districts

Have you ever wondered what happens to the money that you pay for on-street parking?

Would you feel better about paying for parking if you new that a percentage of that revenue was being re-invested back into that community?

Across the Auckland region there are over 50 business associations. Some business associations have voted to take part in the business improvement district (BID) programme which levy a compulsory financial contribution from businesses to fund local area improvements. Each business association has a different focus but ultimately they strive to create wealth for that local community.

Since the council’s significant rates increase on both residents and businesses within Waitemata, and other parts of Auckland, many businesses are struggled to cover the burden of rates increases and BID contributions. So now is an opportune time to look at other ways to support business district growth and ultimately create a more liveable city for all Aucklanders.

Now, the credit for this idea has to go to one of Auckland Transport’s parking managers for putting forward the suggestion. And with enough support from business associations, local boards, councillors and Auckland Transport we might get this idea over the line.

Here’s the idea…

The perception by many residents and businesses is that paying for on-street parking is a “revenue gathering exercise” (click on the link to read the latest comments from the AA) and here is an opportunity for Auckland Transport to change that perception. But we have to be realistic and understand that there is a cost to put in place parking meters and to enforce  parking restrictions. Which is why I would recommend that Auckland Transport consider that $0.50 out of every $1 spent is allocated to that business improvement district.

Of course you can’t allocate funding without wanting to place a few caveats around what the funding can be used for. I would recommend that this funding allocated to business improvement districts should be used for transport related projects. This might include funding shared spaces to increase pedestrian counts, parking signs, local area way-finding signs, cycle parking and much much more.

At last count the following areas had parking meters and could benefit from this type of programme:

• Heart of the City, Auckland Central http://www.hotcity.co.nz/
• Newmarket Business Association http://www.newmarket.co.nz/about/about-newmarket/
• K Road http://www.kroad.com/
• Ponsonby http://www.iloveponsonby.co.nz/index.asp
• Parnell http://parnell.net.nz/
• Eden Terrace http://edenterrace.org.nz/
• Remuera http://www.remuera.org.nz/
• Takapuna Beach http://www.takapunabeach.co.nz/
• Manukau Central http://www.manukaucentralbusiness.co.nz

The programme has been successfully implemented in other parts of the world, have a look at these win-win strategy:

• Turning small change into big changes, the Pasadena story http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/SmallChange.pdf

I welcome your comments and feedback.

Laxon Terrace – Sarawia Street Rail Level Crossing

The introduction of electric trains and new train timetables in April 2014 will impact more than 50 households isolated on the Laxon Terrace side of the Sarawia Street rail level crossing. It is estimated that during the peak commuter period that the road will be closed 30-40% of the time as the train frequency increases on the western and southern railway lines and merge past Sarawia Street into the city.

For residents living in the street their concerns are isolation, safety and the increase in noise from the crossing bells and train horns. Over the last six months the Newmarket Community Association and local residents have meet with Auckland Transport to make these issues known.

Auckland Transport has ranked the priority of this level crossing upgrade as 14th in the Auckland Region. However, Auckland Transport has now identified that with the increase in train frequency “The efficiency and safety of future rail operations (regional) depend on the removal of the level crossing between Sarawia Street and Laxon Terrace.”

Auckland Transport has commissioned an investigation into the options allowing closure of the crossing while retaining vehicle and pedestrian access.  Three options have already been dismissed; underpass from Sarawia Street dismissed due to construction and cost; Sarawia Street bridge dismissed due to gradient; road around Newmarket Park dismissed due to construction risk and high cost.

The three preferred options being put forward by Auckland Transport are:

1) Furneaux Way – Laxon Terrace vehicle connection

Convert the existing AT-owned walkway to a managed, one-way vehicle connection and adopt responsibility for maintaining Furneaux Way (private road currently). Pedestrian connection through to Sarawia Street to be retained, likely by smaller pedestrian level crossing.

2) Cowie Street Bridge

Construction of a vehicle and pedestrian bridge linking Cowie Street to Laxon Terrace and acquisition of some property on Cowie Street.

3) Newmarket Park through road

Construction of a road through Newmarket Park linking to Ayr Street. Pedestrian connection through to Sarawia Street to be retained, likely by smaller pedestrian level crossings.

Auckland Transport will be taking these options out for consultation and funding for any major capital works could be available in the 2nd Quarter of 2014.

In my view there are many pros and cons with the options being put forward. However, it is important that we explore the options rigorously and look at the benefits for our community and the cost to implement. An essential part of any agreed option should maintain the pedestrian crossing from Sarawia Street to Laxon Terrace and to Newmarket Park.

Cox’s Bay Creek Boardwalk rebuild approved

24-hour self-service library kiosk a possibility with RFID

RFID is not the words most inspiring acronym. But these four letters spell out efficiency and opportunity for Auckland Library users.

The Auckland Library collection, under the new Super City, has created a region wide network of 3.5million items. Auckland Libraries has started tagging 1.8million items with radio frequency identification (RFID). This will bring all 55 Libraries as well as mobile libraries onto the same identification system.

The RFID tagging project is planned to be completed in December 2012 when residents will experience consistent checking out across the region.

RFID is essentially a more reliable way of items, like books and dvds, being recognised by scanners during the check-out and check-in process. RFID, although initially costly to implement, looks to provide savings in time, money and labour. With over 400,000 active library users in the Auckland Region these savings will be realised over time.

Auckland Libraries have never stayed stagnant. And as technology has evolved so has the libraries role as an important community hub for information and learning. Aside from the key book lending service, libraries offer a range of other services like free WiFi, access to Auckland’s History or the Sir George Grey Special Collection, you can read magazines, attend Wriggle & Rhyme or an adult writers group. And of course the Libraries are online with downloadable e-books, ask a librarian, the online catalogue and the Chinese Digital Community.

Self service library kiosk

But, the most exciting opportunity to come out of RFID is the potential for self service library kiosks. Self service library kiosks are already located in city centers around the world, like this one in Jiangsu Province, China (picture).

A library kiosk could provide 24-hour access to a small book and dvd collection. But it could also be a wireless connection for mobile devices, like a kindle or ipad, to upload e-books.

As the inner-city population intensifies this is likely to increase the demand for library services. The acquisition of new library property in the city centre is an expensive proposition when satellite library kiosks are a real alternative.

Every working day thousands of Aucklanders commute into the City Centre. A self service library kiosk strategically positioned at Britomart and/or the downtown Ferry Building would create enhanced access of our library collection eg. for your next ferry ride to Whaiheke Island, Devonport or Half Moon Bay.

I will be discussing this with our library staff and neighbouring local boards with the intent to trial a self-service library kiosk in the city centre.