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Downtown survey backs gradual ParkMobile conversion; businesses ask to retain coins at civic locations
Summary
A survey of 99 downtown businesses found majority support for modernization but a preference to retain coin payment at key civic locations; staff proposed converting about 165 meters (outskirts) to ParkMobile-only at an estimated hardware cost under $1,500.
Downtown Partners and city parking staff presented results of a March survey of downtown businesses at the April 24 council meeting, reporting 99 responses representing about 20% of downtown businesses.
Survey takeaways: a majority favored modernizing payment options but wanted to preserve coin-payment capability in high-traffic civic locations such as city hall, the courthouse and the library. Respondents generally supported a phased rollout; about half expressed no preference on the speed of implementation.
Parking and Skywalk Division Manager Tiffany Claiborne told council staff identified roughly 165 meters in outlying downtown blocks that could be converted immediately to ParkMobile-only with a minimal hardware cost (less than $1,500) to add ParkMobile attachments to existing poles. Staff proposed keeping coin options in core civic and historic areas and phasing changes to allow the public and businesses to adapt.
Council discussion emphasized a balanced approach: members suggested keeping a mix of coin and digital options in some blocks to minimize confusion and ensure accessibility for users who rely on cash. Staff will return with mapped options, a phased plan and impacts to revenue for council review.
