Title
Taxi Stands (B)
As part of the Hospitality District Initiative, staff will provide an informational presentation and seek comment on plans for taxi stands in Downtown, College Park and a special taxi stand for University of Florida (UF) home football game days.
Explanation
The Hospitality District Initiative discussed by the Public Safety Committee calls for implementation of taxi stands Downtown and in College Park. Since there appears to be broad agreement on the need and desirability for taxi stands, staff has developed proposed locations and operating hours and is in the process of gaining stakeholder input. Meetings have been held with vehicle-for-hire operators, the Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board and the Gainesville Downtown Owners and Tenants Association. Staff is meeting with the Gainesville Responsible Hospitality Partnership on July 16th.
Staff met with the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board on July 2nd to discuss proposed locations and operating hours for a College Park taxi stand and also a UF home football game day taxi stand. A meeting is being held with UF officials to discuss these issues.
Staff is also working on a promotions plan to communicate the availability of the taxi stands to vehicle-for-hire operators, Hospitality District businesses and customers (including UF students) and others. The taxi stands should be commenced a week or two prior to the start of classes at UF and before the first home football game on August 30th.
Staff believes implementation of taxi stands is a win/win opportunity, providing safe and convenient transportation to guests of the Hospitality Districts while also facilitating business for the vehicle-for-hire industry.
Fiscal Note
There is minimal cost associated with manufacturing and installing signs and promoting the taxi stands.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a presentation on the proposed taxi stands; and 2) provide...
Click here for full text