Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender proposed a solution to the Civic Center parking issue, which he talked about Thursday on KOTA Radio’s FOCUS interview….
Allender said he’s been working diligently on the parking issue for some time, based on mixed community opinion regarding whether or not parking is a problem and if there is a scarcity of spaces. He thinks spending 30-million dollars to build a ramp is a bad idea. The parking ramp plan he says would offer 1,200 or so parking spaces, would be paid, but wouldn’t solve the problem.
Instead he proposes to use what is already in place, adding a new shuttle route and new parking locations….
Allender said they are currently looking at a possible option for premium parking and for a fee, a ticket-holder could guarantee a spot in the closest parking lots.
Allender said the new arena plan offers better access from the north…
This would also make on-street parking more realistic and desirable, similar to the Barnett heyday when events were regularly sold-out. He said safety has been considered. During events that exceed an identified number of attendees, certain roads leading to Civic Center parking areas would be closed allowing pedestrians a barricaded safe area for pedestrians to travel as well as help to control in-flow and out-flow of those parking lots.
Story By: KOTA’s Marnie Cook
