Three months in, downtown Gainesville businesses share thoughts on city’s paid parking program

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Three months in, downtown Gainesville businesses share thoughts on city’s paid parking program

Following an “educational grace *******” in August for paid parking in downtown Gainesville, some businesses are now growing frustrated with the “senseless and unwarranted” changes.

The city of Gainesville began enforcing downtown parking rates in September in an effort to increase turnover of in-demand spaces.

“When spaces are free all of the time, cars can park there all day,” city spokesperson Rossana Passaniti said.

Cars are shown in August parked along Southeast First in downtown Gainesville.

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Thomas Noelke, a manager at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille on Southeast First Street, said, however, that parking is now becoming an issue for both customers and employees.

“We’ve been busy, but from what I’ve heard it has slowed things down compared to when it [parking] was open for anybody without having to pay and download the app,” Noelke said. “It’s been very inconvenient for the elderly. They have to walk further and downloading the app is very difficult for them. It causes people to turn elsewhere if they can’t figure it out.

“It’s also very difficult for all of the staff and the workers,” Noelke said. “We get tickets and if you’re running late, it’s difficult. I know the staff’s been up in arms, too.”

Andrew Schaer, owner of Hear Again Records, said business has been down 50% during the weekdays, but it picks up on the weekends with heavier turnover.

“We’ve been here for 30 years and we’re not going anywhere — we can adapt but it [paid parking] is senseless and unwarranted,” Schaer said. “People don’t appreciate the fact that the city is partnering with a third-party to charge people to park on our own public streets.”

As of Nov. 30, the new parking restrictions have generated over $247,000, the majority of which has come from the garage parking permits, according to information provided by the city.

Hourly transactions through the Passport app in lots, streets and the garage account for just over $83,000. Revenue from the garage permits was listed at $137,000, while revenue from citations was listed at just over $18,500.

Gainesville commissioners voted unanimously in March to approve charging for parking in some previously free spots, increasing the cost of passes for parking garages, decreasing the hourly rate for garages, and changing the hours when paid parking is enforced.

The most expensive spaces — 50 cents per hour with a two-hour time limit — are in the core of downtown north of Southeast Second Place between Southwest Second Avenue and Southwest Third Street. This includes the area around Holy Trinity Episcopal Church along North Main Street and Northeast First Street.

Outside the downtown core, parking rates are 25 cents per hour with no time limit, and spots north of Northeast Second Avenue are mostly free.

Parking restrictions in downtown previously enforced weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., are now enforced weekdays between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The spaces located directly east of the Alachua County Administration Building on Southeast First Street next to Bo Diddley Plaza offer free 30-minute parking before 5 p.m. to assist those who are accessing government services. After 5 p.m. those spaces are 50 cents per hour.

Parking on weekends and city-observed holidays remains free, except in the SW Parking Garage, which is 50 cents per hour with no time limit. Garage permits are available at monthly ($40) or quarterly ($100) rates, and employees of businesses downtown are eligible for a discounted monthly permit at $20 per month.

Business owners have previously complained that the city is overselling the garage permits, leaving limited parking for employees and patrons.

Those driving downtown are encouraged to download and use the Passport Parking app, available on both iOS and Android devices, to pay for parking.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun:

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