“This is one of those things we are putting in our toolbox as we are preparing for this explosion of visitors downtown.”
Instead of driving around looking for a place to park Mobile G-R director Jessica Smith says visitors coming downtown for an event will be able to reserve a space in advance.
“Right now, it is first come first served. This way you can actually reserve a space and when you get there you show your code and we say there is your space.”
Say the special event parking rate is 25 dollars. A customer reserving a space on line will pay $28.95 when the 15 percent service charge and 20 cent transaction fee are added.
“Our customers will see the parking fee, whatever that is for the day and then that 15 percent plus the 20 cents.”
During a presentation to the city commission, Commissioner Alicia Maria Belchak had a question.
“How many parking spots will be reserved for this? As many reservations as possible, when we have those special events.”
Commissioner Melinda Yassi sees the reservation system as part of an evolving solution to potential parking issues when there are simultaneous events at multiple downtown venues.
“We are going to figure this out when we got soccer stadium DeVos Place, all these things going on because it’s happening.”
