As Long Beach continues to cement itself as an entertainment destination in Southern California, city leaders are exploring ways to modernize parking systems in the downtown area to accommodate various venues and large-scale events.

The City Council this week unanimously directed city staffers to look at the possibility of using valet parking and pre-reserved spots in city-owned lots, as well as potentially adding high-density parking lift systems on surface parking lots, both private and public. Staffers will report back to the council within 60 days, according to the staff report.

Parking continues to be a challenge for residents and visitors alike. As the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics and welcomes large-scale events, such as Vans Warped Tour, opportunities for modernized parking systems must continue to be evaluated alongside the ongoing improvements for walkability and bike-ability, city officials said.

Over the years, the City Council has tried to address the challenges with parking in downtown Long Beach – from doing a public and privately contracted parking study in 2015, to reviewing Belmont Shore business and commercial parking requirements in 2021, according to the staff report.

This latest study, which the council approved on Tuesday, March 24, will look specifically at how to improve the city-owned parking lots along Third, Fifth and Sixth streets, and increase capacity in surface-level parking lots.

Valet parking and reservation systems in public lots can improve parking utilization, said Councilmember Mary Zendejas, who brought this item forward with the support of Councilmember Cindy Allen. Currently, public garages like the City Place Lots operate on a first-come, first-served basis for the residents and businesses in the surrounding area.

“The key benefits of this method,” Zendejas said, “include reducing neighborhood congestion and supporting local event venues.”

Local event venues include 440 Elm, Altar Society, Events on Pine, Ovation Square and Gray LB, among others. It could potentially increase revenue and parking utilization as well, Zendejas added.

Other cities, such as Los Angeles and New York City, use high-density parking lift systems on public lots or have allowed and incentivized their use on private lots, according to the staff report. A high-density parking lift system is a mechanical, semi-automated or fully automated solution designed to maximize vehicle storage capacity by stacking cars vertically or horizontally in a limited area.

Locally, Hotel Mai Downtown Long Beach has parking lifts on its lot, Zendejas said, and there are several surface lots in the downtown area that could house high-density parking lifts.

“As we position ourselves as an entertainment destination, I believe these recommendations can help move people around in the downtown, support local entertainment venues and better our mobility in downtown,” Zendejas said. “Also, by implementing these systems, it could free up parking that can be used by residents who already struggle with street parking.”

These modern parking systems could provide secure, convenient and cost-effective solutions that increase parking utilization, and enhance the experience of visitors and residents by expanding parking options, according to the staff report.

In the report, the City Council asks staffers to cover how current systems can be modified for ease of use and whether such methods have a positive impact on parking utilization in the City Place lots. Staff will also look at the placement of stanchions and cones to enable pre-paid reservations and consolidated car selections for valets, which is typical in parking garages in other event-heavy locations. Additionally, the use of smart software should be considered as it can optimize space and improve user convenience and utilization.

In the review of high-density parking lifts, staff will cover potential costs and whether future revenue would offset initial investments and any regulatory changes needed for both public and private use. The report will also include how financially feasible this option is for the city.

“Parking is one of the most consistent issues that we hear from residents in our office; whether it’s in our neighborhoods, near businesses, or in business corridors, it continues to impact the quality of life of residents and also affects businesses and their profitability,” Allen said. “As we continue to grow as an entertainment destination, it’s important that we’re also thinking about how our infrastructure can keep up with the demand for parking.”