2024 Lorain Parking Study

Key Takeaways

  • The parking study was conducted over multiple days in June of 2023 on Lorain Avenue between W 65th and W 20th.

  • Parking occupancy rates vary throughout the corridor but tend to be higher on the eastern end of the study area and between E 44th and Fulton.

  • The highest street parking occupancy occurs on Saturdays between 2-4 pm when 47% of street parking spaces in the study area are occupied.

  • Street parking occupancy varies block by block, with some segments reaching 100% occupancy at certain times.

  • When street parking is fully occupied on a particular block, spaces on adjacent blocks are typically less than 60% filled, meaning parking is available nearby.

  • On a typical weekday, parking on Lorain is less than 30% occupied

  • Many cars are parked for longer than regulations allow. We can use meters, curb regulations, and enforcement tools to incentivize turnover.

What we’re working on

  • As part of this project, we will examine how our current curb regulations align with the corridor's use and needs. We will also work with business owners to consider the location of loading zones, pick-up/drop-off spaces, and parking duration restrictions.

  • We are exploring district parking options and working to develop a parking signage and communication plan to direct people arriving by car where to park.

  • We are completing a traffic capacity analysis to understand better where left-turn lanes are necessary along the corridor. While left-turn lanes can be an effective tool for improving roadway capacity and reducing rear-end crashes, we recognize that they occupy space that could otherwise be used for street parking in specific locations. The plans we shared at the public open house in January 2024 indicated that left turn lanes may be needed at most signalized intersections along the corridor. The roadway plans will be updated to reflect the capacity analysis results and community feedback.