Cleveland's confusing downtown parking odyssey continues
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Cleveland's new downtown parking system existed for less than three months before changing again.
Why it matters: City residents and business owners expressed concerns that the new street rules, which increased prices and eliminated free weekend/evening parking, would discourage people from visiting downtown.
Catch up quick: In January, the city raised street parking costs to $1.50 per hour — up from $1.
- Drivers can park up to four hours at escalating rates — $1.50 for the first and second hours, $3 for the third and $4.50 for the fourth — plus a 35-cent service fee at the ParkMobile coinless meters.
- Enforcement runs downtown from 7am-10pm, seven days a week, and in Ohio City from 7am-10pm, Monday through Saturday.
The latest: On Friday, city officials announced another change involving two different pay rates.
- High-demand areas will keep the standard parking rates established in January. Twenty low-demand areas will feature a flat rate of $1.50.
- Low-demand areas include parts of St. Clair, Superior and Payne avenues, as well as sections of Prospect and Carnegie avenues, per a city map.
What they're saying: "When we rolled out the changes earlier this year, the goal was really simple: make it easier to find a spot and support our local businesses," Mayor Justin Bibb said on social media.
- "But we also heard your feedback, especially from our service workers and folks who need to park longer, that it wasn't working the way it should."
Between the lines: The city is also launching special event parking around Huntington Bank Field, and in the Gateway District near Rocket Arena and Progressive Field.
- Drivers can check the ParkMobile app or pay stations to see the rates for the specific areas during major events.
💭 Our thought bubble: It's all still a bit confusing, and free parking on evenings and weekends would be nice again.
- At least you're not stuck in a sinkhole.