By Khouloud “Kay” Al Mannai and Zoë Chatfield
Parking is often one of the first and last points of interaction people have with a city. At the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA), we shared a commitment to doing our part to make that impression positive, even as we worked toward larger strategic goals. Together, we focused on something we could accomplish quickly and affordably while creating the greatest possible value for the community.
Like many other city entities, our organization sits at the intersection of access and turnover, revenue and affordability, development and interim use, and enforcement and customer service. When managed thoughtfully, parking can help balance these needs while supporting both immediate activity and long-term growth.
As a quasi-public, revenue-producing entity, HPA has a unique opportunity to connect operational decisions with community outcomes. From both an executive and governance perspective, we believe thoughtful parking management, access planning, and experiential placemaking can meaningfully contribute to economic development and community vitality.
That shared vision led us to ask: What can we do right now, with the resources and assets we already have, to help downtown Hartford thrive?
In our latest IPMI article, Small Steps, Big Impact, we share how aligned leadership, practical improvements, creative partnerships, and a broader view of parking can strengthen a community… one intentional step at a time.
Khouloud “Kay” Al Mannai is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the Hartford Parking Authority. She can be reached at kalmannai@hartfordparking.com.
Zoë Chatfield is an Associate Planner with Tyche Planning and Policy Group. She can be reached at ZChatfield@hartfordparking.com.