Parking revenues hit a peak this year in Myrtle Beach, not because rates have increased, but because there were more visitors and more spaces for them to park in.
Lanier Parking Solutions – which manages the city’s parking, including meters, pay stations, pay-by-phone system and garages – told the Downtown Redevelopment Corp. at its Wednesday board meeting that parking income for 2011 exceeded $1.1 million as of the end of October, an increase of 12.13 percent over last year’s $1 million.
That’s thanks in part to the city opening up 56 more spaces this year, Lanier representatives said, bringing the total to 1,897. The new spaces added this year are on Ocean Boulevard near 29th Avenue South; at the 52nd Avenue North street end; on Flagg Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues north; and on Withers Drive between 21st and 22nd avenues north.
Kerri Loomis, regional manager for the Carolinas, presented a report to the redevelopment board, showing that the parking meters and stations at Ninth Avenue North are the biggest cash cows, bringing in an average of just over $2,500 for each space this year.
Eighth, 14th and 23rd avenues North are the next biggest revenue generators, bringing in between $1,600 and $1,700 per space through the year.
An increase in events and visitors, Loomis said, contributed greatly to the increase in revenue. For example, she said, the Sunday night Christian concerts downtown drew $30,000 in parking fees in summer 2010, while this summer they resulted in more than $60,000. Likewise, the Wednesday night fireworks shows that are part of the Oceanfront Merchants Association’s Hot Summer Nights program saw the same numbers as the concerts both last year and this.
Most people still use cash to park, but the use of credit and debit cards in 2011 doubled over 2010, Lanier said.
The Pavilion Parking Garage is increasing in popularity, the management company said.
Its peak month was July, when it brought in $180,000. July 2010, the peak for last year, saw just about $100,000 in parking revenue from the garage.
All told for the year, the Pavilion garage generated $515,000.
Parking proceeds are shared between Lanier and the redevelopment group, and Lanier makes regular reports to the DRC, which has input on how the parking program runs.
The two groups are talking about adding parking for next year by using spaces at existing lots, such as the one between Ninth and 10th avenues North on Withers Drive. There are 28 spaces, but the lot’s owner wants to keep 10 for his employees. That would still add 18 more spaces to the city’s downtown offerings, and could net $20,000 in the second year of operations, said Drew McPeek, Lanier operations manager for Myrtle Beach.
The first year, Lanier would have to install a parking station, re-stripe the lot and conduct other maintenance that would eat up more of the projected $25,000 gross.
Two other new parking lot possibilities are the vacant lot just north of the Second Avenue Pier, which could mean 54 more parking spaces and net revenue of $38,000 in the first year; and a lot just south of the Second Avenue Pier that would add 55 spaces and net $37,000 in the second year. Both lots would require work and the addition of pay stations.
E-Mail
Print
The Sun News Terms & Conditions and Commenting Policies can be reviewed here.