They're Baaaack! Downtown Metered Parking Resumes October 3, 2011

Starting next month, you'll be seeing parking meters in downtown Sarasota, again. But this time around, there won't be as many, and they won't cost you as much. Parking meters and pay stations are being removed in portions of downtown and relocated near the judicial center, as the City of Sarasota prepares to resume the metered parking program Monday, October 3, 2011.   As a result of an understanding reached in July between downtown business owners and the City of Sarasota, visitors will see fewer parking meters in the downtown core, seasonal meter rates, and meters installed on Main Street and Ringing Boulevard near the judicial center.

Parking meters first installed in May Here's the scoop. Meters are being removed from State Street, 1300 and 1500 blocks of First Street, Cocoanut Avenue and Gulfstream Avenue and installed on Main Street and Ringling Boulevard, east of U.S. 301, as well as Adams Lane and East Street. Half a dozen free 15-minute parking spaces also are being created on the1300-1500 blocks of Main Street and will be clearly identifiable with different colored signs. To view a parking map click here. City staff is implementing several lessons learned from the initial parking meter rollout last May. For example, improved signage on the machines is expected to enhance the user experience by providing more information. Decals will notify users that no receipts are issued. Other signs will instruct users to verify their paid time simply by entering their 3-digit parking space number. And, new text on the pay stations also will announce that the minimum payment accepted for a Visa or Master Card is $1.00. Parking ambassadors, wearing bright green shirts with a large ‘P’, will be on the streets, beginning October 3, to assist visitors with the meters. Metered parking enforcement hours will be Monday—Saturday, 9:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m. with rates at $.50/hour, May—October and $1.00/hour November—April. Users are not required to pay for a full hour when using coins. Free and low cost public parking will still be available throughout downtown. Approximately 20 percent of the public parking space in downtown will be metered. It is anticipated the parking management program will prompt drivers to consider every parking option available: • free parking within walking distance • low-cost parking in public lots and garages at 50 cents per hour (Palm Avenue garage will remain free through October 2011) • premium on-street parking at seasonal rates of $.50 per hour and $1.00 per hour The goal is to offer a parking solution for every driver’s budget, while managing the City’s parking assets so that 15 percent of the most desirable on-street parking spaces are available at any given time. That means visitors should be able to find an on-street parking space easily. According to the City, the pay stations are convenient and user-friendly with an eye on sustainability. Solar powered, they accept coins as well as Visa and Master Card. Receipts are not printed, preventing litter and saving a trip back to your vehicle. Visitors will need to remember their 3-digit parking space number, which will be easily identifiable in purple on the curb at their space. Cost effective parking permits are available for those who spend a lot of time downtown. With a permit, drivers are allowed to park in a designated location—one of the City’s five public lots and two garages—for a month. Permits will be sold at a reduced rate for upfront purchases. The cost breakdown will be $20 per month for one year; $25 per month for six months; $30 per month for three months and $40 for one month. Permits can be purchased at the Parking Division located in Sarasota Police Headquarters, 2099 Adams Lane. For more information contact Mark Lyons, Parking Manager at 941-954-7058.