wayfinding technology webinar 8.2014
TRANSCRIPT
Wayfinding Technology:The Hidden Value of Parker Appeal
Presented By:
Kathryn Hebert, Norwalk (CT) Parking Authority
Robert Brengman, Corbin Design
Wayfinding Technology: The Hidden Value of Parker Appeal
Branding City’s Public Parking
Where Are We?
Norwalk Facts
• 6th largest city in the state of Connecticut
• Population of approximately 86,000
• Home to Fortune 500 companies and thriving small
businesses
• Diverse population and transportation system
The Challenges
Little Importance to City Hall
• Line item in the Norwalk Department of Public Works
• City deposited any revenue collections into the general
fund
• Enforcement almost non-existent as a result of political
pressures; little or no compliance
The Challenges
A business that had yet to be run like a business
• No systems in place; No economies of scale; No
compliance
• The facilities suffered from negligent maintenance
• No operational controls
The Challenges
Paradigm of Paid Parking
• For Public
- Surrounding smaller suburbs where most
parking is
free, taxpayer subsidized
- Misconception that Parking Authority is taxpayer
funded
• For Business Community
- Parking is the enemy and a downtown “killer”
The Solutions
The Solutions: Two-Fold Approach
• Apply business concepts to manage public parking
assets
• Improve perception of public parking through
rebranding and strategic marketing
The Solutions
Research to confirm perception, highlight
issues
• Two Audiences:
- Norwalk residents
- Local business owners/managers
• Unfavorable Opinions
• Two biggest issues for both audiences:
- Not enough parking
- Paying for parking, the perception that parking
was “free”
Wayfinding Technology: The Hidden Value of Parker Appeal
Community Outreach Initiatives
Wayfinding Technology: The Hidden Value of Parker Appeal
Community Partnering
Wayfinding Technology: The Hidden Value of Parker Appeal
New Initiatives
Quality of Life
• Expand parking asset usage and re-purposing parking
facilities for community
• Leverage new technologies for parking convenience
• Increasing partnerships with developers, property
owners, business community
The Many Faces of Norwalk Parking