Proposed parking changes FAQs and timeline of recent changes

The city commission is considering proposed parking changes to increase the availability of downtown parking, and to balance the desire for free curbside parking at all hours with the need to increase available parking during business hours.

At its March 21, 2024 meeting, the city commission is expected to hear recommendations to the parking rates and structure based on the results of a recent parking study from SP+ (a consulting firm that specializes in parking management) and on stakeholder input. The recommendations align with best practices in parking management.

• Unlimited, free parking in Downtown Gainesville does not create turnover of parking spaces for customers. Lack of parking turnover leads to the perception that downtown parking is inadequate because many free spaces are consistently occupied. 

• Parking in the core of Downtown Gainesville should be paid and time-limited to increase parking turnover. Opening up parking spaces in the core would result in less driving around to hunt for parking – saving time, money and fuel.

• Parking outside the core of Downtown Gainesville should be free or low-cost to provide incentives to drivers to find long-term parking spaces in the periphery.

If adopted by the city commission, the proposed changes would standardize and simplify the downtown parking rate structure.

• Free parking spaces in high-demand areas in the downtown core would be converted to $0.50/hour with a 2-hour time limit, weekdays. (Downtown parking on weekends and on City-designated holidays remains free except in the SW Parking Garage at 105 SW 3rd St.) 

• Parking permits in the SW Parking Garage (105 SW 3rd St.) would increase from $25/mo. to $40/mo. and from $60/quarter to $100/quarter. (Permits for employees of downtown businesses - $20/mo. – would not change.)

• Parking rates in the periphery, or farther away from the city center, would be reduced either to $0.25/hr. or become free of charge with no time limit, weekdays. (Downtown parking on weekends and on City-designated holidays remains free except in the SW Parking Garage at 105 SW 3rd St.).

• Parking rates in Lot 3 (N. Main St./NW 2nd Ave.) and Lot 4 (SE 3rd St./SE 1st Ave.) would be reduced from $0.50/hr., for 4 hours, to free with no time limit.

• Parking fees for the SW Parking Garage would be reduced from $1/hour to $0.50/hour. The maximum daytime rate will decrease from $5/day to $4/day. 

• Parking enforcement hours would change from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, to 10 a.m.-8 p.m., M-F.

• Two new pay stations (that accept coins and credit cards) would be installed. (Locations would be determined.)

• Time limits in Lot 5 (next to City Hall) and Lot 13 (SW 1st St.) would be removed (from 4-hour to no time limit).

• Parking in Lot 2 (NW 2nd St./NW 2nd Ave.) would remain free of charge.

• Current 2-hour time limits in the downtown core would not change.

• Current unlimited parking in the periphery would not change.

Yes, there is an online map of current parking options. If the city commission approves any changes to parking, the online map would be updated accordingly.

The changes could become effective in late summer.

Approximately $50,000 would be required to implement the proposed modifications and conduct outreach. The changes could generate more than $250,000 in annual revenues.