New Braunfels City Council approves contract with Interstate Parking for downtown management

The New Braunfels City Council meeting on February 24, 2025, focused on the approval of a contract with Interstate Parking Company for parking management services in select city parks and downtown New Braunfels. This decision follows ongoing discussions about the city's parking management plan, which has been a topic of concern for over a year.

Jeff Jewell, the Economic and Community Development Director, presented the proposal, emphasizing that effective parking management is crucial for the city, particularly in the downtown area. The plan aims to address parking enforcement and management through a three-pillar approach: enhancing public information, improving customer experience, and managing existing parking supply effectively.

The proposed contract with Interstate Parking is set to begin on March 1, 2025, with an annual cost of $265,672 for a three-year term, including two one-year extensions. Jewell noted that the anticipated revenues from parking enforcement would cover the contract costs, indicating no expected fiscal impact on the city budget.

Interstate Parking will take over enforcement for paved river parking and downtown areas, with a focus on customer service. The company plans to employ local ambassadors to assist patrons, answer questions, and help resolve issues, aiming to create a more user-friendly parking experience. The goal is to minimize citations, with a benchmark of less than 3% of parked vehicles receiving tickets, compared to the industry average of 10%.

Council members raised concerns about the potential impact on private parking lots and the need for clear communication with residents regarding enforcement policies. Jewell assured that towing would be a last resort and that the city would work with private property owners to establish a cohesive parking management system.

The council also discussed the importance of maintaining free parking periods to accommodate quick visits to downtown businesses. The implementation of paid parking is expected to roll out over the next few months, with the city planning to educate the public on the changes.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's commitment to improving parking management as a response to growing demand, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. The council's decision to partner with Interstate Parking reflects a proactive approach to addressing long-standing parking challenges in New Braunfels.