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HomeMy WebLinkAboutX-A-01 Modify Parking Restrictions on 2nd Street East Under TH-61 River BridgeCity Council Memorandum To: Mayor Fasbender & City Council Members From:Cody Mathisen –City Engineer Date:August 4, 2025 Item:Modify Parking Restrictions on 2nd Street East beneath TH-61 Bridge COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED Council is requested to approve the modifications to parking restrictions on a portion of 2nd Street East beneath the TH-61 Bridge. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Engineering staff has received multiple concerns regarding pedestrian safety at the crosswalk just east of the TH-61 overpass on 2nd Street East. Parked vehicles, particularly on the south side of the street, significantly limit visibility for eastbound drivers approaching the crosswalk. The north side also presents visibility issues, though to a lesser degree. Staff conducted a preliminary safety analysis and determined that visibility would be significantly improved by removing all parking on the south side (4 stalls), and the 2 easternmost stalls on the north side of the block. This recommendation was brought forward to the Operations Committee on June 30, 2025. After discussion, the Committee directed staff to move forward with the recommendation while also considering an alternative to allow motorcycle-only parking on the south side. Benefits of this alternative approach include: •Retaining more parking capacity for the downtown area •Alignment with current informal use, as motorcycles already tend to park here due to the shelter provided by the bridge. Following further analysis of this alternative, Staff concluded this option to be a feasible and balanced solution. Motorcycles pose less visibility obstruction when compared to cars, ultimately improving pedestrian safety while also maintaining parking availability for the downtown area. Note in the proposed figures (attached), motorcycle stalls will be striped at an angle aligned with eastbound traffic. This orientation reflects typical motorcycle parking behavior, which entails motorcyclists backing in for easier reentry in the direction of traffic. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached resolution to modify parking restrictions along 2nd Street East beneath the TH-61 bridge as follows: 1.Remove approximately 40 feet (2 stalls) of parking along the North side of the street 2.Convert approximately 80 feet (4 stalls) of parking along the South side to “Motorcycle Parking Only”. FINANCIAL IMPACT If approved by Council, the financial impact to the City is estimated to be approximately $500. •Public Works staff will furnish and install new signage (North and South sides) •Striping for motorcycle stalls can be completed by the striping subcontractor on the 2025 Neighborhood Infrastructure Improvements for an estimated cost of $250 during their scheduled mobilization this fall. ATTACHMENTS •Resolution -Adopting Parking Modifications •Figures -Existing Conditions and Proposed Modifications X-A-01 CITY OF HASTINGS DAKOTA COUNTY,MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION TO MODIFY PARKING RESTRICTIONS 2ND STREET EAST BENEATH THE TH-61 BRIDGE WHEREAS, City staff were requested to analyze the current impacts of street parking on available sight lines for pedestrians to safely cross 2nd Street East,just East of the TH-61 bridge overpass, and WHEREAS, staff concluded that parked vehicles on both the South and North sides of the street impede the ability for oncoming traffic to detect pedestrians crossing 2nd Street at a sufficient distance to stop or react safely, and WHEREAS,signing approximately 40 feet on the North Side for No-Parking and converting the South side to Motorcycle Parking Only would achieve significantly improved sight lines for oncoming traffic and pedestrians to facilitate safer crossings, while maintaining parking capacity for the downtown business area. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HASTINGS AS FOLLOWS: Along 2nd Street East beneath the TH-61 Bridge: 1.The Easternmost 40 Feet along the North side shall henceforth be signed as No-Parking. 2.The South side shall henceforth be converted to “Motorcycle Parking Only”. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, THIS 4th DAY OF AUGUST, 2025 Ayes: Nays: Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor ATTEST: Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk SEAL X-A-01 X-A-01 2ND STREET EAST PARKING - UNDER TH-61 BRIDGE EXISTING CONDITIONS X-A-01 15' 60' ~10 MOTORCYCLE STALLS 7' 40' NO PARKING 2ND STREET EAST PARKING - UNDER TH-61 BRIDGE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS X-A-01