In an effort to ensure efficient use of available street-level parking spaces, the City of Gainesville plans to implement a paid-parking system for certain surface spaces downtown by Spring.
CITY OF GAINESVILLE NEWS RELEASE:
“A pay-by-mobile system, the “ParkGVL” app would encourage turnover by discouraging long-term parking – which has long been the case for surface spaces on and surrounding the square – by requiring motorists to pay to park based on their intended length of stay. Through ParkGVL, drivers would use a ticketless QR code system, recording their license plate, vehicle make/model and parking zone before rendering payment. To pay, users could also send a text message to a specific number.
“Despite the City continuing to offer free, untimed and covered parking in the Main Street and Gainesville North parking decks, we have for many years observed drivers occupying parking spaces directly on the square and side streets for extended periods of time – throughout the day and evening,” said City Manager Bryan Lackey, which isn’t the intended use for these spaces. “I’d even go as far to say that sometimes we observe the same vehicles occupying spaces for six, seven, even eight hours straight or longer.”
Paid parking, which encourages drivers to park for shorter durations, would allow more people to access these surface parking spaces – especially those who need them, like the elderly, those with mobility challenges, injuries, etc. It also facilitates a better flow of traffic and reduces parking congestion.
“When it comes down to it, these parking spaces are intended for those coming into town to support downtown restaurants, retailers and service providers,” Lackey said. “By implementing a semi-hourly rate, our hope is those who intend to use these spaces to enjoy a meal, grab coffee with a friend or do a little shopping won’t mind paying an additional $1-$2 to support their favorite small business(es). This system is not structured to serve as a revenue generator, but to discourage those who plan to stay for great lengths of time – either most of or the entire day – from taking these spots and instead utilizing our free parking decks, which are well within walking distance to any destination on the square.”
Refined Parking Solutions Founder and CEO Dilshan Singh echoed Lackey’s sentiments about ParkDNA (ParkGVL) and the benefit it could have on Gainesville.
“Effective parking management isn’t about generating more revenue – it’s about creating access,” Singh said. “By increasing parking turnover and ensuring availability, cities like Gainesville are making it easier for residents and visitors to support local businesses, dine, shop and enjoy everything their communities have to offer. At ParkDNA, we are proud to provide technology that helps cities and operators create a seamless, user-friendly parking experience that ultimately strengthens local economies and enhances community vibrancy. We’re honored to collaborate with the City of Gainesville on this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on local businesses and the community.”
Spaces on portions of the following streets would become pay-to-park by early May, pending approval by the Gainesville City Council: Bradford Street, Brenau Avenue, Broad Street, Green Street, Main Street, Maple Street, Spring Street and Washington Street. Signage would be erected as early as April. Review the proposed Gainesville Downtown Parking Map & Guide here.
“Paid parking also promotes fairness by ensuring that everyone pays for use of public parking spaces, preventing a situation where a few individuals or businesses dominate parking areas, leaving others with limited options,” Lackey said. “While we are thrilled by the support many businesses receive on a daily basis, the City also fields calls from other businesses that may not open until the later morning or whose more mature customers experience difficulty finding parking within a comfortable walking distance to their destination.”
Those who prefer to park on the square would pay 25 cents for every half-hour up to two hours ($1 total for two hours). After two hours, a $4 hourly rate would take effect until midnight. From midnight to 7 a.m., no fee is proposed at this time. These spaces account for, roughly, only 15% of public parking in downtown Gainesville. This percentage drastically decreases if including the number of free spaces provided in the Hall County Parking Facility, which is managed by Hall County Government.
Parking in the following nearby parking decks remain free: Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St. SW; Gainesville North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave NE; and Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St. SE (public entrance on Spring Street only). The Main Street deck has 451 spaces, including nine accessible spots; while the Gainesville North deck has 410 spaces, also including nine accessible spots.
Funds generated would go back into the City’s general fund, like parking ticket revenue, and would be managed by Gainesville Municipal Court. The City would enforce these proposed parking measures.”
The council plans to vote on the proposal when it meets Tuesday at the city’s public safety building on Queen City Parkway.