Knoxville parking is going to be more expensive, but most nights and weekends will be free
Parking is changing in downtown Knoxville because the current system doesn’t bring in enough money to cover its costs.
A popular feature ‒ free night and weekend parking ‒ will remain in place with some tweaks.
An independent consulting firm studied the system and proposed a plan to help the system make money while making sure it’s easy for visitors to find a spot close to their destination.
The changes include technology upgrades, new parking ticket policies and rules for garages.
The Knoxville City Council will determine whether to increase parking violation fines, but the increased rates in garages and street parking are set for now.
“We’re recommending these next steps,” David Brace, Mayor Indya Kincannon’s Chief of Staff told Knox News. “If we need to make tweaks, we’ll make tweaks.”
The council is hosting a workshop to talk about the changes at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 in the main assembly room of the City-Council Building, 400 Main St.
Here’s a look at the changes, which would start in February.
Parking garages and lots
The city’s popular free parking overnights (6 p.m.-7 a.m.) and on weekends will stay in place, with one exception. Drivers will have to pay to use the Market Square Garage on Saturdays.
Market Square Garage parking will have a flat $3 fee all day from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
One big change to the free parking is that drivers will have to pay for the time they were parked in a garage during paid hours, even if they leave when the garage is free.
Payment will be required regardless of departure time starting in February.
Metered street parking changes
Street parking payments will be made via the ParkMobile app, not coins.
Rates will increase across the board:
Regular spots will increase from $1.50 per hour to $2 per hour, keeping the 2-hour maximum.
Long-term spots will increase from 30 cents an hour to $1 an hour, and from a 10-hour max to a 4-hour max.
30-minute spots will increase from 75 cents per 30 minutes to $1 per 30 minutes.
Parking will be free from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. Monday-Saturday and on Sundays.
Parking ticket fees increase
This is what the council will vote on. Fines for violating parking rules could get steeper.
Fines for parking in a fire lane or near a hydrant would increase from $25 to to $35, and $44 if the fines aren’t paid within 10 days.
Fines for all other parking violations, like not paying for parking and parking in a no parking zone, would be $25 and $34 if they’re not paid within 10 days.
Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Downtown Knoxville parking and tickets will become more expensive
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