CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The City of Clarksville recently entered into a contract with a Nashville-based firm to update parking policies in downtown Clarksville as well as develop an app to replace the current meter system. While the company, Premier Parking, is listed as a consultant, its role also includes the management of key services such as fee collection.
Downtown parking has been a contentious issue in the past. The Parking Commission voted in August 2019 to do away with first-hour-free parking, a decision that was overturned following public outcry from downtown business owners. The recent changes proposed by the city, made in conjunction with an outside consultant, are the first since that time.
On Wednesday, July 8, the city outlined planned changes to the parking rules, the details of which can be found here.
As part of its strategy. The city has contracted with Premier Parking to act as a consultant on downtown parking.
While the term “consultant” might seem to imply an advisory role, Premier’s contract, obtained by Clarksville Now, includes management responsibilities, such as the collection of fees, the development of technology and the hiring of a parking director who will have a desk in City Hall.
Who is Premier?
Premier Parking is a Nashville-based company that, according to their website, manages approximately 200 parking operations and facilities throughout Tennessee’s capital. Their facilities include some of the most used locations in downtown Nashville, including many along Demonbreun Street, Church Street and Broadway.
According to a 2016 Tennessean article, Premier controlled at that time over 143 locations and 18,000-plus parking spaces in Nashville, more than three times that of their largest competitor, SP+.
They also manage parking facilities in several other cities, including Austin, Texas; Detroit; Denver; and Cleveland, Ohio.
What Premier will do for the city
As part of their consulting contract with the City of Clarksville, Premier will develop a mobile parking app for downtown, including fee collection and enforcement software. They will be responsible for collecting parking fees and providing that revenue to the city on a monthly basis.
According to city spokesman Richard Stevens, “The app is a Premier product, which the company may implement to improve customer service in Clarksville. The City supports the concept as a way to modernize and improve service, but does not have any specific information about the app at this time.”
Premier will also be responsible for hiring an “experienced Parking Director, responsible for the oversight of the Clarksville parking operation.” While the position has not yet been filled, this individual would be responsible for Premier’s efforts in Clarksville. The city’s chief financial officer, however, would remain ultimately responsible for parking.
For their services, the city will pay Premier $12,000 each month – $144,000 a year – as well as provide office space on the first floor of City Hall.
The city will be responsible for providing enforcement staff, which consists of two full-time and two part-time positions.
Privatization or management services?
When asked how the agreement with Premier differs from privatization, Stevens said Premier will be a consultant providing management services.
“Premier, as a consultant, is a private contractor who is providing parking management services. The consultant follows City Code, and the city Parking Commission sets rates. Privatization of parking would turn over the entire process to a for-profit corporation, which is not provided for in the parking management services agreement,” Stevens said.
The Parking Commission will meet next on July 30 at at 3 p.m. Mayor Joe Pitts said he expects to have another parking roundtable with downtown business owners before a new plan is implemented.