From free to fee: Sioux Falls to charge for downtown parking on Saturdays
City to start enforcing extended vehicle parking limits May 1, add mobile payment option
Consider bringing change when you visit downtown Sioux Falls on the weekends — or plastic.
The days of free public parking on Saturdays downtown are numbered as the city of Sioux Falls will increase its enforcements hours of downtown parking meters beginning next month.
Right now, the city charges for downtown public parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, leaving all parking space — meters and ramps — free to use on evenings and weekends.
But starting May 1, metered parking in the city’s core will be enforced on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well.
Officials at City Hall made the announcement Wednesday, saying the move will help support downtown’s small businesses by limiting the amount of time vehicles use a spot, creating more vehicle turnover on a busy shopping and traffic day.
“These public parking changes that will be implemented May 1 … ultimately increases foot traffic and sales for our small businesses,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls. “The data shows each parking spot has the potential to provide an additional $20,000 in annual revenue for small businesses if they’re turned over more than five times in a day. These changes support the economic development of our community while enhancing the user experience to park downtown.”
Parking downtown at a meter costs $1.50 an hour, and most meters support credit cards, though some remain that accept only quarters. But that will change as well, said Matt Nelson, public parking manager for the city of Sioux Falls.
Starting May 1, drivers can pay for all metered parking from their mobile phones using a code on the meter. Using the service will come with a 45 cent surcharge, which Nelson described as a convenience fee.
“The capability to pay for parking from your phone is a simple and convenient option that users have been inquiring about for years,” he said. “As downtown continues to evolve, it’s important our public parking system grows with it.”
Parking in the city’s surface lots and parking garages will remain free on evenings and weekends.
Extended vehicle enforcement starts May 1
Long trucks will no longer be allowed to park at some spots downtown starting May 1, when an ordinance that requires vehicles to leave 10 feet of clearance between the back of their car and the center line goes into effect.
The new rules affect 142 on-street parking spaces between Ninth and 13th streets on Phillips Avenue. A white line will be painted along the back of the parallel parking stalls in the affected area on Phillips Avenue to prepare for the enforcement, officials said.
“Implementing this ordinance is simply to keep Phillips Avenue safe. With over 4,000 public parking spaces downtown, this ordinance only affects a very small portion of on-street parking spaces in a busy part of our downtown,” said Councilor Jennifer Sigette, who sponsored the ordinance. “Downtown is such a special part of our community. It’s critical we take steps to ensure its continued vibrancy.”
