Three months in, downtown Gainesville businesses are sharing thoughts on the city’s paid parking program

Following an “educational grace period” in August for paid parking in downtown Gainesville, some businesses are now growing frustrated with the “unreasonable and unnecessary” changes.

The city of Gainesville began enforcing downtown parking rates in September in an effort to increase revenue for high-demand spaces.

“If the spaces are free all the time, cars can park there all day,” said city spokeswoman Rossana Passaniti.

Local news: City of Gainesville’s new Downtown Ambassador Program aimed at making visitors feel ‘safe’

Thomas Noelke, manager at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille on Southeast First Street, said, however, that parking lot is becoming a problem for customers and employees.

“We have been busy but in my opinion things have slowed down compared to time [parking] it was open to anyone without paying and downloading the application,” said Noelke. “It was very difficult for the adults. They have to go ahead 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 staff and employees,” Noelke said. “We get tickets and if you arrive late it becomes difficult. I know that the workers are also excited.”

Andrew Schaer, owner of Hear Again Records, said that business is down 50% on weekdays, but the weekends are starting to be very profitable.

“We’ve been here for 30 years and we’re not going anywhere — we can’t adapt but it’s happening [paid parking] it’s absurd and illogical,” Schaer said. “People don’t like that the city is working with a third party to charge people to park on our public streets.”

As of Nov. 30, the new parking restrictions generated more than $247,000, most of which came from garage parking permits, according to information provided by the city.

Hourly transactions through the Passport app in multiple locations, streets and garage accounts for over $83,000. Revenue from garage permits was listed at $137,000, while revenue from citations was listed at just over $18,500.

Gainesville commissioners voted unanimously in March to approve charging for parking in certain areas that were previously unpaid, increase the cost of passing parking garages, reduce the hourly rate for garages, and change the hours when a paid parking lot is used.

The most expensive spots — 50 cents an hour with a two-hour time limit — are in downtown’s northeast corner 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 an hour with no time limit, and lots northeast of Second Avenue are generally free.

Parking restrictions in the city which used to apply on weekdays between the hours of 8am and 5pm, are now applied on weekdays between 10am and 8pm.

The lots located directly east of the Alachua County Administration Building on Southeast First Street near Bo Diddley Plaza offer free parking for 30 minutes before 5 p.m. to help those who receive government services. After 5 pm those slots are 50 cents an hour.

Parking on weekends and city holidays is always free, except in the SW parking garage, which is 50 cents per hour without a time limit. Garage permits are available at monthly ($40) or quarterly ($100) rates, and employees of downtown businesses qualify for a discounted monthly permit for $20 per month.

In the past, business owners have complained that the city handles garage permits, leaving employees and patrons with limited parking.

Those driving downtown are encouraged to download and use the Parking Passport app, available for both iOS and Android devices, to pay for parking.

This article first appeared in The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville businesses see unwanted changes in new parking standards.