Glenwood Springs, Colo. (May 9, 2012) — The City of Glenwood Springs announces Downtown Parking Perks, a cash equivalent incentive program and promotion to encourage commuters and employees of downtown Glenwood Springs to park in alternative lots, and to commute by bicycle during the downtown construction period. Construction of two major projects has begun at the site between the 800 and 1000 blocks of Cooper Avenue. One project is a public parking structure, funded by the City of Glenwood Springs and the Downtown Development Authority, and the other is a dual-use building for Colorado Mountain College and the Garfield County Libraries/Glenwood Springs Branch Library. The Downtown Parking Perks program will coincide with the construction period, which is expected to fully conclude in early fall 2013. With nearly $13,000 in cash equivalent prizes available in the promotion, organizers expect big involvement. “Parking Perks has been enthusiastically embraced by our member businesses,” says Tom Fleming, director of the Glenwood Springs Downtown Partnership. “The goal is to keep the two-hour parking available for visitors and shoppers to the downtown, and to reinvest back into the businesses that are most impacted by the construction process.”
A total of five $500 prizes, 30 $250 prizes, and about 300 $10 prizes will be awarded throughout the promotion. Downtown Parking Perks engages individuals, businesses and local organizations in its execution. Individuals voluntarily opt in at www.downtownparkingperks.com with their car and bike registration, agreeing to park their vehicle in alternative lots, or stow their bike at one of three dozen identified bike racks. Local businesses within the Downtown Development Authority boundary have agreed to accept Parking Perks tokens as cash from the winners. Businesses then redeem collected tokens at City Hall for reimbursement. The Glenwood Springs Branch Library, Colorado Mountain College central operations and Blake Avenue locations, Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, Glenwood Springs Post Independent and the City of Glenwood Springs are participating as distribution locations where individuals can pick up a free numbered bike tag, similar to a luggage tag, for bicycle registration in the program. ”As a community, we are fortunate to be in the position to make this infrastructure investment in Glenwood Springs. The long-term gain from the projects will benefit downtown vitality for decades to come,” says Leslie Bethel, director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). In total, the construction projects represent $17 million in investment, and will contribute 115 parking spaces above current capacity in the area. “What we’re seeing is that businesses, employees and local residents are willing to go through the short-term inconvenience of construction for all the benefits of the end result. And the Parking Perks program definitely helps everyone focus on the positive.”
The Downtown Parking Perks website has a parking map showing the alternative parking lots and identified bike racks. It also has a list of participating businesses, forms for voluntary registration, and official rules. By opting in, winners agree that their name and photo may be publicized on the website and in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. In addition to voluntary registration for the $250 and $500 prizes, an Instant Gratification component is a part of the program. City staff and Downtown Partnership volunteers will be on hand at the alternative parking lots and around bike racks on random mornings and late afternoons throughout the construction time frame, to instantly award $10 tokens to people who are following the recommendations. A Parking Perks window cling identifies participating businesses. There are 15 locations currently accepting Parking Perks tokens, and dozens more expected to come on board as the program gains momentum. Businesses in the program include: the Book Train, Cakes & Cuffs, The Candlestick Maker, Fine Things, Flower Mart, Glenwood Adventure Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company, High Country Gems & Minerals, Hotel Denver, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, Main Street Gallery/The Framer Art Gallery, The Pullman, Summit Canyon Mountaineering, Sunlight Ski & Bike Shop and Treadz Apparel. Businesses within the Downtown Development Authority footprint represented in the restaurant, retail, tourism, select service and lodging segments are eligible to participate. Downtown Parking Perks was approved by the Glenwood Springs City Council, and the program is being funded by the City of Glenwood Springs. The Downtown Parking Perks team that conceived and is executing the program includes Jeff Hecksel, city manager; Leslie Bethel, DDA; Tom Fleming, Glenwood Springs Downtown Partnership; Rosa Silver, transportation manager with the City of Glenwood Springs; and marketing consultant Kate Collins of Write Brain West, Inc.
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Media Contacts:
Kate Collins
Write Brain West, Inc.
970-274-0899
kate@writebrainwest.com
or
Rosa Mendez Silver
City of Glenwood Springs
Transportation Manager
970-384-6437
rosa.silver@cogs.us