After a few years of back-and-forth, the Gainesville City Commission has moved forward with downtown parking changes that will turn free spots within the core into paid spaces.  

New parking stations and signs have been posted as August marks the official start of the changes, but the city is giving a month-long adjustment period for visitors.  

Mayor Harvey Ward said on Friday that the city won’t start enforcement until September, meaning residents have a month to find their new go-to spots. He added that the city must stay consistent if it wants the program to succeed.  

“I think it’s important to stick with it and to be consistent,” Ward said. “I think consistency will pay dividends.”   

As reported in March, the price of the paid parking spaces will go down, but the core downtown will have more of them. Most spaces around Bo Diddley Plaza, City Hall and Main Street will cost $0.50 per hour with a two-hour time limit. Slightly outside this zone, spaces will cost $0.25 per hour with no time limit.  

A select number of free, 30-minute spaces will still be available directly in front of the Alachua County Administration Building for use.  

Free parking spots will still exist around the perimeter of the downtown area. A row of spaces will be by St. Francis House off SE Fourth Avenue along with others along NE and NW Third Avenue. 

All downtown parking will remain free on weekends and holidays, and new payment stations will take coins and cards. Visitors can still use the Passport app to pay as well.  

“I believe that the path we’ve chosen, recommended by folks who serve larger and smaller communities across the nation, is the right path to follow,” Ward said. “I think that if we stick with it, everybody’s going to be happier.”   

Ward said the main issue is encouraging turnover at prime parking locations so new visitors have a spot throughout the day—instead of parking spaces being blocked all day.  

The funds from paid parking will be negligible in the city’s budget. The presentation from March anticipated around $550,000 in annual revenue from parking. However, staffing will cost around $280,000.  

Under those projections, the city would have around $281,000 for equipment upkeep and downtown maintenance.  

Downtown Parking Revenue:    

• Core Parking Income: $312,312    

• Outer Core Parking Income: $139,164    

• Citations Income: $109,054    

• Staffing Cost: ($279,134)    

• Revenue: $281,396 

In 2022, citizens spoke out against the parking changes, prompting the city to pause the implementation. Some downtown businesses still worry about the negative impacts of making patrons pay to park close to their stores.  

Scott Shillington at The Top restaurant said business owners have opposed the plan. A survey from late 2023 sent to 35 downtown business owners showed that all 35 wanted to keep the free parking system. 

“There is great support from our survey of businesses downtown—as well as vocal support from many patrons and customers of downtown—that parking remains free and more parking options are added to support growth in the heart of this special city,” Shillington said. 

Shillington said downtown businesses already have a tough time. Now, patrons will need to pay for a quick, daytime trip to get a haircut, buy an album, grab lunch or shop a retail space. He said downtown visitors will look elsewhere.  

Shillington sent the survey results to City Manager Cynthia Curry and Ward. The survey also asked if SW First Avenue should be reopened—31 of the respondents said yes.  

In the email, the group referenced the 2022 backlash. 

“Now that time and elections have passed, the city is looking to implement what appears to basically be the same plan—paid parking by day for shoppers, lunch-goers, and coffee-grabbers; meanwhile, club-goers and street-drinkers can maybe luck out and get a free spot at night,” the email said.  

Linda McGurn, the chair of the new Downtown Advisory Board, agrees. McGurn said having some free parking spaces in front of downtown businesses sends a welcoming message—though not all parking can be free, she said. If the spots are filled, then visitors can move on to the paid spots or parking garages.  

The Downtown Advisory Board (DAB) has had two meetings but already passed a few votes—including support of the City Commission providing financial assistance to the Hippodrome Theatre.  

The DAB also voted 4-2, with one member absent, that the city reconsider opening SW First Avenue. The city has closed the stretch since the COVID-19 pandemic to allow outside space and a streetery concept.  

The DAB said reopening the street would provide around 25 on-street parking spaces closer to the businesses along that stretch. It also asked that the businesses using the outdoor seating be allowed to use portions of the sidewalk. The recommendations mentioned having the ability to close the area for special occasions. 

The board listed eight reasons for the reopening, including the area remaining unused. 

Ward said the downtown area will continue to attract patrons. He said the area offers a unique experience to Butler Plaza, Thornebrook or Celebration Pointe—just like each of these appeals for different reasons.  

“You cannot recreate a downtown from scratch,” Ward said. “It’s a different experience.” 

He said the payment for parking is very modest and follows the practice of cities across the country, including the smaller Ocala. He added that Celebration Pointe patrons will also need to pay extra for the amenities they enjoy because of a surcharge on all purchases at the development.  

As far as the streetery on SW First Avenue, Ward said he won’t vote to reopen it. He said the city needs to commit to making the space more usable and inviting with permanent structures. He said the city will start construction on wider sidewalks there in the coming months.  

Ward added that he hopes the DAB provides innovative ideas for future programs and changes, not spending meetings second-guessing past city actions.  

“I’m hopeful that the downtown advisory board will be thinking forward and not backwards,” Ward said.  

He pointed to other parts of the city’s downtown plan, like an ambassador program, that will assist development and the visitor experience. He also pointed to private investments like the new Hyatt Hotel as signs of downtown vibrance.  

Ward said all college towns can deal with perception issues during the summer, but once the city moves through the growing pains of new changes, the parking changes and downtown strategic plan will be net benefits.  

“Come downtown on a Thursday night in September through May,” Ward said. “It’s different than it is right now, and certainly, vibrant is the word to use for downtown late in the evening during the academic year.”