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DIA: Downtown has thousands of public spaces but private garage pricing varies; city to pursue family-friendly rates
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Summary
Colin Tarbert (DIA) told the committee downtown has about 48,000 public parking spaces and identified three garages nearest Riverfront Plaza; councilmembers asked for occupancy and pricing data for private garages (VyStar reportedly charging up to $15) and Tarbert said DIA will pursue negotiations to keep prices low and return occupancy figures to the committee.
Colin Tarbert, representing the Downtown Investment Authority, briefed the Special Committee on the Future Downtown on Feb. 9 about public parking availability and pricing near new riverfront amenities.
Tarbert said the downtown area contains about 48,000 public parking spaces and highlighted three garages close to Riverfront Plaza: the Water Street garage (operated by the City of Jacksonville), a VyStar-adjacent garage next to the playground, and another nearby VyStar/Foresight Street garage. He noted on-street meters are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends and directed committee members to dtjacks.com for maps and transit guidance maintained by Downtown Vision.
Councilmembers asked whether private garages are charging rates that deter families from using downtown amenities. Tarbert said the city charges roughly $5 on evenings and weekends in city garages but that private operators such as VyStar were reportedly charging up to $15; he said DIA will negotiate with private operators to explore lower, family-friendly pricing and will follow up with the committee on outcomes and occupancy figures. "We think a $5 charge is relatively nominal," he said, adding that the city would provide more detailed schedules and occupancy data.
Committee members also raised policy tools to encourage garage use (monthly permits, low-cost vouchers for restaurants, and free or low-cost evenings to steer patrons to underused garages). Tarbert said the city offers monthly rates for city garages ("somewhere between dollars 70 at the low end") and suggested working with restaurants and property owners to incentivize garage use and preserve on-street spaces for short-term patrons.
The committee directed staff to return with a drill-down on occupancy, pricing and policy options at the next meeting.
