It’s time to talk about Vail parking again

Hopefully as you read this, you have been or will be heading out to the Vail Street Sale, a three-day event sponsored by the Town of Vail and the Vail Chamber & Business Association and includes over 75 Vail businesses participating. This is the fourth year for the sale, which started Aug. 13 and goes through Aug. 15. So come into town, shop and dine and take advantage of the great specials being offered.Taking a slightly longer view, parking in Vail continues to be an issue and major concern for residents, business owners, employees and our guests. This year the Vail Town Council is acting as the Parking Task Force. Traditionally this was headed up by community members who made recommendations to the council. But the council has taken this responsibility on themselves to be actively involved in the discussions regarding the various recommendations.The current rates for the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures are:• Shopper / Value Lot parking (40 spaces in Vail and 25 spaces in Lionshead):0 – 30 minutes, free.30 minutes – two hours, $15.Two – 24 hours $25• The rest of the structureLess than one hour, free.One to two hours, $10.Two to three hours, $15.Three to four hours, $20.Four to 24 hours, $25.After speaking to community members, the Vail Chamber & Business Association is proposing the following:• Eliminate all the Shopper/Value Lot parking and make the pricing the same throughout the entire parking structure.Extend free parking to two hours.Two to three hours, $10.Three to four hours, $20.Four to 24 hours $25.• Stricter enforcement of designated parking spaces (no more one vehicle taking two spaces without a hefty fine).No changes to the existing parking passes (Gold, Silver, Blue, Green and Pink) except to the Value Pass Vail residents. They’d be charged $10 ,non-peak. $15 peak. For Eagle County residents the prices would be $15 non-peak, $20 peak.Additional signs would show up-to-the minute space availability when traveling off the interstate and frontage roads would help direct people as to which parking structure has space available. This is a definite wish-list item, but one that should be taken into consideration if not now for the future.We have also heard that some would like to have “value days” Monday through Thursday at a $5 discount and “premium day” pricing Friday through Sunday at full rate.These are all or part of some of the ideas that have been kicked around. However, we need to hear from you, and what your thoughts and concerns are regarding the parking situation in Vail. We are here to support you! So let us at the Vail Chamber & Business Association know and be heard on how you would like the Town of Vail to proceed. Call or e-mail us your concerns, support or recommendations to 970-477-0075 or at info@vailchamber.org.The Vail Chamber & Business Association is the leading business advocacy group in Vail and is a communications outlet for businesses that want to have a voice in community affairs. If you are interested in finding out more about the Vail Chamber and what it has to offer, please contact us at 970-477-0075 or e-mail info@vailchamber.org. Based in Vail Village, our office is located in the transportation center and our doors are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stop by and say hello!Richard tenBraak is Executive Director of the Vail Chamber & Business Association.