Exciting Changes Coming to Knoxville’s Downtown Parking!
Knoxville, TN is buzzing with news! Mayor Indya Kincannon recently shared a new parking plan with the city council that is set to shake things up in the downtown area. After consulting with experts who suggested implementing a paid parking system every single day of the week, the Mayor took a slightly different approach. While she confirmed that free nights and weekends will still be in effect, some pricing tweaks are definitely on the horizon!
Here’s What’s New
Let’s break it down. First off, the city is moving toward a more modern parking experience by introducing a shiny app-based system. This means goodbye to fiddling with coins and cards – it’s all about convenience now! So, if you’re parking on the street, brace yourself for some price increases. On-street parking will now cost you $2 an hour, but you can only park for a maximum of two hours. Plan to stick around longer? That’s going to set you back an extra buck – long-term parking is being raised to $1 an hour, also with a four-hour maximum limit. Even those quick pit stops of 30 minutes will have a higher price tag, increasing to $1 for that short visit.
Parking Times and Garage Fees
As for the timing, you’ll need to be mindful of the hours. Street parking fees will apply from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. And good news for Sunday drivers! You can park for free on Sundays, giving you a chance to explore the city without worrying about overlapping meters.
What about the Market Square Garage? Well, you can expect a $3 base fee for parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Not too shabby, right?
Why the Changes?
So, why these adjustments? The city believes that these pricing changes will help better manage the parking demand as more folks flock to Knoxville’s vibrant downtown area. With growing visitors and locals spending time at shops, restaurants, and events, a well-organized parking plan is key to keeping everything running smoothly. The hope is that by updating pricing and switching to a digital system, everyone can enjoy a hassle-free experience.
What’s Next?
The new policies are designed to guide Knoxville into a modern age of city parking. With the app-based system set to roll out soon, residents and visitors alike will need to stay tuned for updates on how to download the app and navigate these exciting changes.
Knoxville is proud of its bustling downtown scene, and with these parking updates, it’s gearing up to make the experience even better for everyone. So grab your phone, download that app, and get ready to enjoy what Knoxville has to offer—hassle-free!