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Other considerations affecting feasibiGty: Parking: The project, as presented, includes 258 pazking spaces. It is the opinion of the Task Force that this number is inadequate, given established criteria for commercial development. Using the benchmark of three stalls per 1,000 square feet of building improvements (and assuming net leasable area of 141,382 sf., rather than gross floor azeas), the minimum number of stalls available should be 426 as reflected in the following formula: Minimum spaces needed 426 Credit spaces gained from elimination (44) o~ bus mall in front of Courthouse Spaces "reserved" for private sector 90 building on the north side of the block, assuming 30,000 sf. of building Credit number of spaces planned ~25$~ Total additional spaces needed 214 Thus, the Courthouse Square project should make available an additiona1214 pazking spaces to achieve a minimum standard for the floor areas it will be adding to the downtown azea. To achieve this goal we recommend that 66 stalls be added to the initial development of the underground pazking area (under the footprint for the private development space on the north third of the block.) The County should consider obtaining the balance of approximately 148 stalls by participating financially with the City of Salem to construct additional pazking or by pursuing some acceptable alternative in the area. The City of Salem could then use the Courthouse Square contribution toward the construction of an additional pazking structure for the east downtown business/retail district. The Task Force is aware of the azgument presented by the project team that increased use of transit will reduce the need for pazking. However, the assumption that the current plan has adequate parking is based on what we believe to be an ideal scenario and not on the reality of our society. Achieving the "ideal scenario" of getting people out of their cars is not a short-term project. Consequently, we cannot let the County put an undue burden on the business owners and professiot~als downtown who depend on adequate available pazking. While downtown businesses not providing the needed number of parking spaces are required to contribute to a pazking district, Marion County is exempt from such participation. Thus, the project could add to an existing lack of parking, without any obligation to contribute to a solution. The County must take full responsibility for the pazking needs that the Courthouse Square project will generate. 2