After an “educational grace period” in August for paid parking in downtown Gainesville, some businesses are now frustrated by the “pointless and unwarranted” changes.
The city of Gainesville began enforcing parking rates downtown in September in an effort to increase revenue from high-demand parking spots.
“If there are always spaces available, cars can park there all day,” says city spokesperson Rossana Passaniti.
Cars are parked along Southeast First in downtown Gainesville in August.
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However, Thomas Noelke, manager at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille on Southeast First Street, said parking is now becoming an issue for both customers and employees.
“We've been busy, but from what I've heard, things have been slower than they were back then [parking] was accessible to everyone without having to pay and download the app,” Noelke said. “It is very difficult 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 the staff and workers,” Noelke said. “We get tickets and if you are late, it is difficult. I know that the staff has also taken action.'
Andrew Schaer, owner of Hear Again Records, said sales are down 50% during the weekdays but pick up again on the weekends with higher sales.
“We've been here for thirty years and we're not going anywhere. We can only adapt [paid parking] is pointless and unfounded,” said Schaer. “People don't appreciate the city working with a third party to charge people for parking on our own public streets.”
As of Nov. 30, the new parking restrictions have generated more than $247,000, most of which comes from parking garage parking permits, according to information provided by the city.
Hourly transactions via the Passport app in lots, streets and the garage amount to just over $83,000. Garage permit revenue was $137,000, while citation revenue was just over $18,500.
Gainesville commissioners voted unanimously in March to approve charging for parking at some previously free spots, increasing the cost of parking garage passes, lowering the hourly rate for garages and changing the hours of paid parking is mandatory.
The most expensive spaces — 50 cents an hour with a two-hour time limit — are in the city center, 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 of downtown, parking rates are 25 cents per hour, with no time limit, and spots north of Northeast Second Avenue are largely free.
Parking restrictions in the city center that were previously in effect on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, now apply on weekdays between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM
The parking lots immediately east of the Alachua County Administration Building on Southeast First Street next to Bo Diddley Plaza offer free 30 minutes of parking before 5:00 PM to assist those accessing government services. After 5 p.m. those spots are 50 cents per hour.
Parking on weekends and public holidays in the city remains free, except in the SW Parking Garage, which costs 50 cents per hour and has no time limit. Garage permits are available at monthly ($40) or quarterly ($100) rates, and employees of downtown businesses are eligible for a discounted monthly permit of $20 per month.
Business owners have previously complained that the city is overselling garage permits, leaving limited parking for employees and customers.
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: Gainesville businesses are seeing unwanted changes due to new parking fees
