Experts, consultants, and officials from various Chester County municipalities recently discussed parking options during an Urban Centers Forum entitled “Parking Lessons Learned,” writes Danielle Lynch for the Daily Local News.

One of the key messages from the forum was that parking options are a crucial component in attracting people to a borough or city to encourage them to shop, dine, or live there.

“Parking is a catalyst for development,” said Timothy Haahs, president of Timothy Haahs & Associates, an engineering and architectural design firm that specializes in the utilization of effective parking strategies.

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Haahs was one of the panelists at the two-hour event at the Coatesville Courtyard Marriott. He provided suggestions for parking to attendees, including representatives from municipalities throughout the region.

Haahs said that increasing parking fees slightly at meters, as well as making meter parking time limits shorter, could help solve the issue. When the time limit is reduced to two hours instead of three hours, he said, it ensures higher parking turnover and helps generates more foot traffic.

“Parking used to just be a necessity, but nowadays, we must also provide convenience,” he said.

Read more about the Urban Centers Forum in the Daily Local News here.

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