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The Altoona Parking Authority is considering whether to hire a management firm to handle its operations, which could soon include technological tools a study consultant has recommended.
The prospect of hiring such a firm arose recently when former Altoona businessman and current Florida parking management executive Michael Rickard proposed the idea -- which could make sense especially because authority office manager Vickie Chilcote is retiring and needs to be replaced, said authority Chairwoman Sherri McGregor.
Accordingly, McGregor plans to invite Rickard to the authority's next meeting to explain how his firm's services could benefit the organization, McGregor said Tuesday.
"It's an interesting model," said authority member and Altoona Blair County Development Corp. CEO Steve McKnight of Rickard's firm's operating methods. Municipalities across the country are increasingly engaging such "third-party management" for parking services,
McKnight said.
One potential benefit would be to ensure that the authority doesn't "make the wrong decision" by installing technology that would become quickly obsolete, McKnight said.
Such a firm could also help with budgeting and other matters that the authority "wrestles with," McKnight said.
Rickard's firm was an unsuccessful bidder for the parking study that ultimately recommended the technology upgrades.
Trans Associates of Pittsburgh conducted that study, finishing early this year and recommending installation of access gates to the authority lots and multi-space kiosks for payments in those and for some street spaces.
The cost of installing such features could be a few hundred thousand dollars, a city official has estimated.
The proposed technology upgrades will require both hardware and software, according to McGregor.
A dedicated parking management firm could negotiate ongoing software fees, oversee maintenance of the technology and provide additional employees that may be needed, including an on-site manager, McGregor suggested.
Rickard clearly has a financial interest in a possible contract but also seems to have "a passion for Altoona," McGregor said.
He used to operate Michael's Cafe in the space on 11th Avenue later occupied by Bill Sell's Bold restaurant, McGregor said.
The authority will likely need to float a request for proposals for the management services, according to solicitor Ben Yeager.
While management services per se don't need to be bid, equipment that may be purchased through a management firm would likely trigger a bid requirement, Yeager said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.