The DBBA’s response to the low-car/people streets study by the City of Bend

This letter was submitted to Susanna Jubler, project manager for the City of Bend’s Low-Car/People Street’s study on behalf of the Downtown Bend Business Association.

On behalf of the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA), I am sharing our perspective on the proposal to implement low-car pedestrian streets in downtown Bend. We have tremendous appreciation for the walkability of downtown and welcome enhancing vehicle, pedestrian, and bike connections between Downtown Bend and the rest of our growing city.  However, specifically in the downtown core, we have serious concerns about the potential impacts of such a plan on businesses, customers, and the overall downtown economy, 

Community Insights: How People Get Downtown
The DBBA recently conducted a comprehensive survey of over 1,500 members of our community to better understand how people access downtown and what they value most. The data underscores the critical importance of parking availability:

• Summer: 78.8% of people drive to get downtown.

• Spring/Fall: This increases to 84.2%.

• Winter: The percentage jumps to 90.5%.

The survey also revealed that convenient parking is the number one value for visitors to downtown, while the difficulty in finding parking is their number one concern. These findings highlight how essential parking is to maintaining accessibility and ensuring a positive downtown experience for the majority of our community members and visitors.

Economic Impact of Reduced Parking

According to the City of Bend’s data, each parking space downtown is utilized 5.42 times per day, and with an average of 2.5 occupants per vehicle spending $50 per visit (a very conservative estimate), a single parking space has the potential to generate $247,000 in annual economic output.

The potential economic impact of removing parking spaces is significant:

• Removing 5 parking spaces could result in an annual loss of approximately $1.23 million in economic activity.

• Removing 10 parking spaces could result in an annual loss of approximately $2.47 million in economic activity.

• Removing 20 parking spaces could result in an annual loss of approximately $4.94 million in economic activity.

• Removing 28 parking spaces (the amount the restaurant parklets are currently taking up spaces) is an annual loss of approximately $6,92 million in economic activity.

These losses would come at a time when many downtown business owners are already struggling compared to years past. Rising rents, inflation, labor shortages, and a shift in consumer habits have left many businesses operating on tight margins. Business owners have repeatedly shared that they cannot afford any reduction in sales if they are to remain open downtown. Eliminating parking spaces, which directly impacts customer access, would place an additional burden on businesses already working hard to stay afloat.

Lessons from Other Cities: The Case of Santa Barbara

We must also take into account lessons from other cities that have pursued similar initiatives. For example, the pedestrianization of State Street in Santa Barbara has led to severe economic challenges, as acknowledged by their own mayor. Businesses have struggled due to reduced car access, which has diminished foot traffic and customer convenience. This example serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the long-term economic implications of limiting vehicle access to downtown.

Maintenance Responsibility
In addition to economic concerns, there is the question of who will maintain the new pedestrian spaces once they are built. The DBBA already operates with limited funding and resources, and we would not be able to absorb the costs associated with the upkeep of these new spaces. Clear funding and maintenance plans must be in place before moving forward with any pedestrianization plans.

Safety Concerns
Pedestrian streets also raise potential safety concerns, including:

• Conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and delivery vehicles.

• Challenges for emergency vehicle access.

• Increased vulnerability during late hours without adequate lighting, patrols, or security measures.

It is vital that these safety considerations be addressed in detail to ensure that new spaces contribute positively to the downtown environment.

Accessibility and Equity
Finally, limiting vehicle access could make downtown less accessible for certain groups, particularly seniors and individuals with mobility challenges. This concern is especially pronounced in winter, when icy and snowy conditions make walking longer distances difficult or unsafe. By reducing parking options and increasing walking distances, we risk alienating these customers, many of whom are loyal patrons of downtown businesses.

Conclusion
While we support efforts to enhance downtown Bend and improve the experience for visitors and residents alike, we urge the City of Bend to carefully consider these key points:

• The critical role parking plays in supporting downtown accessibility and economic health, as demonstrated by the DBBA’s recent survey and the City’s own data. If the city were to move forward with implementing a low-car district downtown, creating new parking solutions would need to happen prior to any changes being made.

• Lessons learned from other cities, such as Santa Barbara, where similar initiatives have had negative economic outcomes.

• A clear, sustainable plan for maintaining pedestrianized spaces, should they be implemented.

• Mitigation strategies for safety risks associated with pedestrian streets.

• Ensuring equitable access for all community members, including seniors and those with mobility challenges.

We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the City of Bend to find balanced solutions that promote walkability while preserving accessibility, economic vitality, and the unique character of downtown. The DBBA is eager to work with the City on improvements to Downtown that enhance safety and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment while ensuring that parking and business access are not reduced. By implementing physical improvements that align with shared goals, we can achieve a win-win-win for the community, the City, and Downtowners alike.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.