Parking Implementation
After being informed from almost 20 years of downtown parking studies, the City Council has passed a Resolution affirming the timing of implementing parking improvements, that were recommended by our Parking Committee (established 2023) and a parking consultant, Walker Consultants.
On March 19th, the City Council passed Resolution 2025-3 to implement improved signage, increased employee parking and enforcement by summer 2025 and to proceed with paid parking in selected areas of downtown by the summer of 2026.
The Q & A below provides the implementation recommendations from Walker Consultants to the City Council on November 20, 2024 and has not been approved at this time.
The City Council approved staff to explore enforcement options at their April 2 city council meeting as well as received an update on employee parking and signage efforts.
City staff returned with an update on enforcement, signage and employee parking on May 14, 2025. City council provided feedback on a proposal for timed parking, additional ADA spaces and 15-minute stop and go spots. Council requested an increase in fines for tickets.
The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for enforcement services on April 30, 2025 that included light enforcement and robust enforcement with optional management. The RFP was scheduled to close on May 28, 2025 and was extended to June 4, 2025. The City received a total of 3 responses to the RFP.
On June 11, 2025, the City Council determined they did want to move forward with 3rd party enforcement this year, rather than hiring city staff to provide enforcement services. Staff scored the three responders and interviewed two to determine that LAZ was the most qualified based on their customer focus, ambassador style program and ability to evolve the program. In addition to ambassador services, LAZ will provide a Manager, Customer Service/Administrative Support and 1 parking enforcement officer, with a pool of officers in neighboring jurisdictions available as needed.
On July 16, City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a three-year contract with LAZ Parking to provide ambassador enforcement services, as well as create an employee parking permit system. The LAZ contract will be used to implement the downtown parking Resolution approved by the City Council in March, which will include paid parking next year.
Commonly Asked Questions
How did we get here?
Interested in learning the history of paid parking conversations in the city over the last almost 20 years? Visit the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee webpage that includes an overview of the meetings held by the committee and the reports received between 2006 and 2023.
Where is Paid Parking Proposed to Occur?
- Anderson Parkway – aka, Waterfront parking lot
- Front Street (from Hostmark to before the King Olaf Lot)
- Jensen Street (from Front Street to Iverson Street) (see image below)
Council is also considering Moe Street and 3rd Avenue, as recommended by the consultant.
When Might Paid Parking Occur?
Council passed a Resolution to implement paid parking in the summer of 2026.
How many days of the week are considered for paid parking?
6 or 7 days of paid parking, with Sunday as a potential grace day.
What is the paid parking system being considered?
Council has expressed an interest in using a mobile pay option.
What hours are being considered?
10 am to 6 pm, providing early morning grace hours.
What will the hourly cost of parking be?
The consultant has recommended starting at $2/hour. The council has not made a final decision on cost/hour.
Where will employees park?
The proposal is to include 42 spaces in King Olaf overflow lot (see image below).
What will the cost of employee parking be?
The proposal is $20/month. Council has not made a final decision on monthly cost.
Will there be enforcement of parking?
The recommendation from Walker is to enforce parking from Hostmark to Front Street to Sunset and portions of 3rd Avenue and 4th, per the hatched purple area in the image below.
Next Steps
City Council’s next discussion on the timing of paid parking improvements is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Contact Information
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