Rowlett secures shared parking agreement with DART to add more than 750 downtown spaces

On Feb. 4, 2025, the Rowlett City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a shared parking agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to allow public access to roughly 750 parking spaces at the Rowlett DART Light Rail Station.

Charles Mazerakis, assistant director of economic development, said staff pursued the agreement to address perceived parking shortages in downtown Rowlett and to support new downtown development and events. Mazerakis told council the shared agreement grants access to more than 750 spaces, including 17 ADA spaces, that are roughly 715 feet from the downtown core. Staff said there is no additional cost to the city under the current agreement and that the spaces may be marketed as public parking for downtown patrons.

Council members praised staff and DART leadership for negotiating the arrangement. Councilmember Reeves and others publicly thanked DART and the city manager’s office for facilitating the agreement; council also noted Mark Enoch’s role as the city’s DART board representative. The agreement provides 24-hour access to the spaces, though staff noted a separate city ordinance (Section 66.105) currently restricts parking in some city-owned dark lots and that the ordinance would need amendment to avoid conflicts.

The council approved the resolution 6–0. Staff said the shared parking should ease access to downtown businesses and support planned downtown events and developments without an immediate cost to the city.