Staff recommends six-month downtown valet pilot; Ace Parking named top scorer in RFP 24-52

City staff presented Request for Proposal (RFP) 24-52 for a six-month downtown valet-parking pilot aimed at improving access to Riverside’s downtown and supporting local businesses. The presentation summarized the procurement history, described community outreach (more than 300 survey responses), and said the evaluation panel received two responsive proposals: Ace Parking and Parking Corporation of America.

Staff recommended Ace Parking based on the competitive evaluation. The pilot would run January 1–June 30, 2026, with a three-month and six-month review, and would test flexible options such as vehicle pickup near multiple downtown venues. Staff cited anticipated pricing in the range of $20 for regular operations and $30 for special-event services; they cautioned these were the anticipated rates and that any changes would require formal action.

Councilmember Janis Menors voiced support and noted promotional dollars and outreach to downtown restaurants; other councilmembers discussed scalability and operational details including technology, staffing and customer experience. Staff said analytics and weekly tracking of usage, complaints and customer feedback would guide adjustments.

The transcript records a motion and public comment was opened for the item; the staff recommendation and the council discussion are recorded in the transcript. The meeting materials indicated staff would return with any required agreements and that the council would consider formal approval or contract execution at a subsequent step.