Council approves three-year contract with Ace Parking to implement paid parking in Old Town

The City of Orange authorized a three-year professional services contract with Ace Parking III LLC to design, implement and operate a paid-parking program in the Old Town commercial core.

Staff described the turnkey agreement as including pay-station procurement, mobile payments (Flowbird), signage, a permit system for residents and businesses, license-plate enforcement, and dedicated on-the-ground staff. The contract value presented to council was a little over $1.8 million for the first three years and included a 25% contingency for implementation uncertainties; staff said Ace committed to a lower not-to-exceed baseline of about $1.4 million while the contingency was a conservative allowance for unforeseen startup costs.

Staff estimated program net revenue of around $900,000 in year one and roughly $1.2 million annually thereafter. During public comment AJ Rickey urged robust merchant and public outreach to reduce confusion when the program launches and suggested multiple merchant briefings. Council members raised concerns about the size of the contingency and whether revenue should be restricted to downtown enhancements; proponents said the contract is expected to be revenue positive and recommended implementation to support downtown businesses.

The council approved the agreement by a 4–2 vote with Mayor Pro Tem Bilodeau and Council Member Dimitriou voting no; Council Member Barrios recused due to a declared conflict. Staff estimated equipment procurement would begin in July–September with a planned go-live in November subject to testing.