Gainesville city leaders release data on parking revenue, drivers upset

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - New parking rates in Downtown Gainesville are frustrating many people, and city officials are now releasing new data on how much money they’ve made from these changes.

“It would be easier if we just had the free parking like we used to and it kind of blindsided us,” shared visitor Andrew Evans.

Evans used to visit Gainesville all the time when he was in college and says paying to park downtown now adds time.

“No one really wants to pull out their phone when they’re parking especially when they’ve made plans like us we’re down here for a wedding,” Evans said. “So it’s already hectic enough trying to get material and meet up with people. Don’t really have time to settle, download an app, connect our card, do all that nonsense.”

In September, free spots turned into paid ones.

RELATED: Business owners raising questions about Downtown Gainesville parking rates

Mayor Harvey Ward says since these parking changes went into effect, most people are using the Passport Parking app to pay. According to a city report, from August to the end of the year, the city made almost $100,000 through the app. Ward says finding a spot downtown is now easier which was their goal.

“There’s an office worker economy basically during the day, in the evening there’s a restaurant/ theater economy, and later into the evening there’s a bar economy, and they all seem to work,” Ward shared.

However, one business owner says since this change, he’s lost business during the weekdays.

“During the week, it’s definitely been slower comparatively maybe like less reliable I guess you know. I mean you should just be able to rely on a great day you know pretty much everyday, and especially while the students are in town,” said Andrew Schaer, owner of Hear Again Records.

Schaer says he would like to see more paid parking at night instead of during his business hours.

“Don’t feel like those who are coming downtown to get loaded and then drive home should necessarily get the free parking while everyone else you know who comes down during the daytime to do other things has to pay for that,” Schaer shared.

City officials gave more than 600 citations and almost 3,000 warnings during this time. Ward says they plan to put the thousands of dollars of revenue they’ve made back into the city.

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