Parking downtown is a major frustration in our city. I’ve struggled with our parking system, and I bet you have, too. Residents and visitors shouldn’t have to predict how long you plan to park in the garage and get penalized if you got it wrong. Employees of downtown businesses shouldn’t have to walk a mile to get to their car after a late shift because the shuttle bus has stopped running.
We need a parking system that is simple and fair. My plan includes clearer signage, better communication, and fewer penalties. All garages should operate like EZPass, with license plate readers tracking and charging you for actual time used, not forcing you to forecast the length of your visit. Residents should have an easy way to access their free 2-hour-per-day benefit, without needing paper cards or long codes saved in a file. And employees of downtown businesses should receive better options.
Kudos to the City for making progress along those lines. If you didn’t know, a new gateless parking system went into effect at Gott's Court Garage and Knighton Garage on September 30. City residents can still park free for two hours, but you need to get a QR code in advance - don't forget to print it out and leave it in your car as you'll need to scan it on each visit to get the discount. This is better than the system at the Hillman garage, with opportunities for further improvements. Check “How to Use Validations” on each garage’s web page to learn more.
Last month in this newsletter I asked for your suggestions on parking, and I appreciate your thoughtful input. As your mayor, I will use my legal expertise and my experience on the City Council to negotiate with vendors and improve our approach. I’ll work with our parking partners to seek a system that meets the needs of our residents and businesses, making downtown welcoming for everyone. Sincerely, Jared Littmann Candidate for Mayor of Annapolis |
Downtown Parking
Updated: Nov 25
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