Hartford, CT – Propark Mobility announced that Vladimir Bobarykin has joined the company as Director of Business Development, leading client acquisition and relationship-building efforts across the Carolinas. “Vladimir brings a deep understanding of the Carolinas market and a clear vision for growth,” said Rudy Touvell, Chief Development Officer of Propark. “His ability to build relationships, motivate teams, and create opportunities for our clients makes him the right leader to further strengthen our presence in this important region. We’re excited to see how he helps drive our mission of innovation and service forward.” Bobarykin has nearly two decades of experience in hospitality-focused operations and business development. Most recently, he held a senior leadership role in the parking and mobility industry, where he worked closely with clients to improve service delivery, strengthen customer satisfaction, and grow market presence. He is also a recipient of the National Parking Association’s 40 Under 40 recognition, honoring his professional achievements and contributions to the industry. “Vladimir’s leadership is grounded in service, teamwork, and a drive to continuously raise expectations,” said Stephen Duffy, President of Propark. “He knows how to turn ideas into programs that work in the real world, and his leadership will be an asset to both our clients and our internal teams.” In his role at Propark, Bobarykin will lead business development efforts across North and South Carolina, focusing on building strategic partnerships and expanding the company’s mobility services throughout the region. He will collaborate with clients to create tailored service plans that enhance operations and elevate the customer experience, while integrating Propark’s innovative technology to deliver lasting value and sustainable growth. About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is a national, innovation-driven parking management company that provides full-service parking and mobility services for over 1,000 hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and off-airport locations in over 250 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com.

How does parking policy align with the goals of a growing, multimodal city? And how can cities densify without overwhelming their parking systems? These questions have been central in Columbus, Ohio—the Midwest’s fastest-growing city. 2024 was pivotal. In November, Central Ohio voters approved a new transit sales tax to fund a Bus Rapid Transit system. Months earlier, Columbus City Council adopted Phase 1 of “Zone In,” a zoning overhaul creating new districts to spur housing and walkable, transit-oriented development. A major feature: eliminating minimum parking requirements in these new districts. In recent years, cities like Minneapolis, Austin, and Denver have repealed parking minimums to support affordability and transit-oriented growth. Yet, as any parking professional knows, residents are often vocal about street parking access. Columbus was no exception. In response, the City established a new Parking Impact Study process, giving the Division of Mobility and Parking Services authority to evaluate potential spillover from new developments. Studies document on-street occupancies, estimate demand, and determine whether mitigation is needed. If impacts are modest, projects commit to Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures—such as subsidized transit passes, carshare, rideshare, or bike/scooter share—that reduce driving needs. Larger impacts trigger layered mitigations plus a parking management fee, designed to fund new permit zones or other operational tools to protect neighborhood parking access. One year in, only a handful of projects have required studies, and none have yet triggered fees. Still, the policy is already considered a win. Columbus successfully removed parking barriers to new housing—an urgent priority for city leadership—while establishing safeguards to protect residents and manage curb demand. The Columbus model may not fit every city, but its lesson is broader: parking concerns need not block goals around housing affordability or transit-oriented development. With creativity and community dialogue, parking can shift from being a barrier to becoming part of the solution. Justin Goodwin, AICP, PTMP, is the Mobility and Parking Services Administrator for the City of Columbus. Justin can be reached at jmgoodwin@columbus.gov.

2026 MSTPA/FPTA Joint Conference & Trade Show., November 30-December 4, 2026 in Miramar Beach, FL.

Join MAPTA for their Fall Conference & Trade Show in Williamsburg, VA, October 13-16, 2026.

Come join PIPTA for fun in Spokane, WA, October 20-22, 2026.