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Draft downtown parking ordinance would set standards for garage lighting, cleanliness and pricing; council sends draft to owners for review
Summary
Councilman Jon Spinoza introduced a first‑draft ordinance to regulate garage standards downtown — from lighting and pressure‑washing schedules to pricing transparency and fines — and the committee voted to send the draft to stakeholders for further work.
A broad rewrite of downtown parking standards was introduced April 22 by Councilman Jon Spinoza, who described a draft ordinance that would set minimum lighting, pressure‑washing, trash‑receptacle spacing, and inspection standards for downtown parking garages and establish fines and an incentive scheme for owners who comply.
Draft provisions: Spinoza said the ordinance is intended to improve public safety and the customer experience downtown. Items in the draft include mandatory cleaning and pressure‑washing cycles, trash receptacles at regular intervals, lighting minimums, clearer pricing displays, and fines for unsanitary or unsafe conditions. The draft also proposes incentives for garage owners who meet higher standards and a phased ramp‑up period (90–120 days) for compliance. Spinoza said that a separate enforcement mechanism and a fund into which fines would be deposited could pay for improvements and grants to owners who upgrade facilities.
Public testimony and stakeholder views: Former council member John Burgess — who attended and spoke as a downtown business leader — said inconsistent pricing and poor lighting discourage repeat visits and hurt downtown businesses. “Memphis is not a $35 parking city,” Burgess told the committee, urging standardization and better customer experience. Spinoza and other council members discussed options including a single default fee for short visits, protections against sudden event surcharges, and both penalties and grants tied to measurable improvements.
Council direction: Committee members asked the sponsor to work with the Downtown Memphis Commission, code enforcement, legal staff and downtown garage owners to refine the draft. Several council members asked for a clearer enforcement plan — including whether code enforcement would administer violations — and for cost estimates if the city were to invest in municipal garages. The committee also asked staff to produce a map of downtown garages, operators and current pricing to inform policy choices.
Next steps: Spinoza said the draft is intended to be collaborative and that staff will meet with garage operators, the Downtown Memphis Commission and code and legal staff. The committee voted to forward the draft to stakeholders and to send a version to the full council with the recommendation that further stakeholder negotiation continue before final readings.
