KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The City of Keene’s recent FlashVote survey shed some light on the community’s Downtown parking needs.

The city has been studying parking trends and needs in the Downtown area and conducted the survey this week.

Of the 279 participants, 32% said that parking downtown is fine, and they wouldn’t pay any additional money or time on easier parking. That was closely followed by 31% of responses that said they wouldn’t pay more money but would walk up to an additional two minutes from a lot with easier parking.

According to the survey, most drivers are parking for 15 minutes or less (41%), or 1-2 hours (42%), and 49% of participants said the most difficult time to find a parking space downtown is between 5 and 9 p.m.

“The only time I truly have trouble parking is when I want to pick up food from Thai Garden (so 5-7 p.m.),” one survey-taker said in the comment box of the final question. “I just want to jump out and run in, but end up driving around the block several times.”

Many of the responses said that parking downtown isn’t an issue, while others expressed some concerns over the safety and availability of parking, particularly handicapped parking, and frustrations with the kiosks.

Some suggested building a parking garage.

“Build a 4-story parking garage right behind the Colonial,” another response said. “Seems obvious”.

The city’s seven-year Capital Improvement Plan does include the Westside Downtown Parking Structure project, although the project being a part of the plan isn’t a guarantee that it will happen.

Last year the city began working with a consultant to conduct a feasibility analysis and come up with a concept design for the project.

After the results of the survey were released late Wednesday morning, Don Lussier told MyKeeneNow that the consultant has finished the data-gathering phase, which included drone flights overhead on Main Street in the late fall and early winter, and has developed some preliminary concepts.

The consultant, Weston & Sampson Inc., is now working on the “needs assessment” step, according to Lussier.

“…which will evaluate both the current parking demand as well as potential future parking needs (for example if a new development occurs on Gilbo Ave.),” Lussier said. ” That analysis establishes how large of a structure is needed, the best location etc.”

After that is completed the last step of the process is a financial feasibility study. That will examine things like construction costs, financing alternatives, revenue projections, and operating costs.

Lussier said once all of the information is put together the Public Works Department will present all of the findings to the City Council with recommendations for next steps.

You can find more information on the FlashVote survey at keenenh.gov.