Gainesville is now less than a month away from beginning paid downtown parking and a “soft opening” began Monday, right on schedule. May 4 is still the scheduled launch day. Meanwhile, a petition is still be circulated in opposition to the plan. EARLIER STORY. PUBLISHED MARCH 13: Petition: Stop downtown Gville parking fees
Monday’s “soft opening” means users of parking spaces are “encouraged” to use the system but not “required” to. Beginning April 20, they will be “asked” to use it but, again, not “required” to. But starting May 4, users will be “required” to use it and pay after two hours of free parking.
As we’ve reported before, through ParkGVL, a pay-by-mobile system supported by ParkDNA, drivers will use a ticketless QR code system, recording their license plate, vehicle make/model and parking zone before rendering payment (via the app or by text). After two free hours (redeemable once daily with QR code scan 𝘢𝘯𝘥 check-in), a $4 hourly rate will apply until 11 p.m., when parking becomes free until 7 a.m. the following day.
The following nearby parking decks, all within walking distance to the square, will remain free and accessible 24/7: 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). Together, these decks offer well over 1,000 free parking spaces, including multiple accessible spots at the street level.
Why is this being done? City Manager Bryan Lackey explained in this story published Feb. 4: ‘ParkGVL’ system to promote parking accessibility, turnover downtown
You can review the city’s initial press release in its entirety, including a detailed parking map, here: https://www.gainesville.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/782