Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Cars are seen on the parking deck in downtown Houghton. The city is partnering with the Veridea Group to hold forums for residents and business owners on their thoughts on downtown parking.

HOUGHTON — Consultants have studied maps of parking in downtown Houghton. They have looked at the numbers.

But they have yet to hear from the residents themselves. 

That will change Wednesday with virtual forums on downtown parking. Originally scheduled for March, the forum was postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Wednesday’s meetings can be accessed by computer or teleconference. 

The first meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday is for downtown business owners, city employees and downtown residents. 

To access it on Zoom, go to zoom.us/j/93070691946.The meeting ID is 930 7069 1946. 

To dial by location call 1 (929) 205-6099. For one-tap mobile, go +19292056099,,93070691946# US (New York).

The meeting for the general public will be held by teleconference 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

Go to zoom.us/j/93873060535. The meeting ID is 938 7306 0535. 

To dial by location, call 1 (929) 205-6099. It is also accessible via one-tap mobile at  +19292056099,,93873060535# US (New York). 

The analysis is being performed by Walker Parking Consultants. The cost is being shared with the Veridea Group of Marquette, which is in negotiations with the city to purchase the parking deck area on Lakeshore Drive for a mixed-use development. 

Consultants visited the area for several days in February, City Manager Eric Waara said. 

“They’ve got the physical data part down, but now they’re going to the subject — how do people use it, how do they feel about it, what choices do they make?” he said. 

A posting on the city website lists nine potential discussion points, including Where do you generally park to access businesses along Shelden Avenue? and “If the Big Deck were full or was temporarily unavailable while undergoing repairs, where would you park alternatively?”

After the forums, the consultants will incorporate that feedback into their report, which will likely include recommendations and best practices to follow, Waara said. 

“If they make some good recommendations, we’re going to follow them,” he said. 

Veridea will also take Wednesday’s responses into consideration when developing their proposal, Waara said. 

“They need the businesses downtown, their neighbors downtown to do well as well,” he said. “Ultimately, they’re going to need each other to succeed for Veridea to have a successful development in the end.”

People who cannot come to the meeting can provide comments to general@cityofhoughton.com.