Updated parking reconfiguration proposal released

Thanks to everyone who attended tonight’s public meeting regarding the Greensward project. The City has posted the concept and a detailed explanation on its new website, and is asking for feedback on the concept through February 28. Meeting attendees asked a variety of excellent questions; those will be posted along with the team’s answers by Friday of this week.

Following the comment period, the design team and the City will review all feedback and make any necessary changes. At this stage, Mayor Strickland will make a final decision on how to move forward. After a plan is agreed upon, the creation of construction documents can begin, and construction could be underway within the year.

The design proposed tonight by the Powers Hill team closely follows the footprint of Mayor Strickland’s proposed solution from July 2016, while fulfilling the mandates of City Council’s resolution to add 415 spaces to the Zoo’s lots. This proposal represents a compromise that, most importantly, will permanently end the practice of overflow parking on the Greensward.

The revised plan addresses most of the concerns that the Conservancy’s board shared with the design team after the initial design concepts were released in November. In the most recent plan, the reconfigured lot moves north, which keeps it further away from Veterans Plaza and the formal gardens than in the November proposals. That northward movement also means that visitors coming from Overton Park Avenue on bike or on foot will continue to enjoy a peaceful park experience, rather than entering the park and facing directly into the parking lot.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, or you would like to offer additional feedback, please visit the City’s website to see the new proposal. Send your feedback to [email protected] by February 28.