City
leaders hope the change will encourage drivers parking long-term to park
elsewhere, thus increasing short-term parking turnover.
The following is a news release from the city of Redwood City:
Starting on Monday, August 4th, the parking rate in the
Downtown core area
(see map)
will increase to $1 per hour. Meter rates outside of the core area
remain at 25¢ per hour. All meter rates will be in effect Mondays
through Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. The Downtown core is generally
comprised of the area bordered by Main Street, Marshall Street, and the
Caltrain tracks, plus the area around the 2600 block of Broadway toward
El Camino Real.
As approved by the City Council at its June
23rd, 2014 meeting, the new rate will have the effect of encouraging
longer-term parking in the less-expensive spaces just outside the
Downtown core. The goal is to improve parking “turnover” in the
high-demand core area, making it easier for shorter-term visitors to
find parking when they come to shop, dine, or enjoy a show Downtown.
More information about Downtown parking, including an updated FAQ, is
online at
www.redwoodcity.org/parking.
Here are options for low-cost and free parking in and around Downtown:
The
County Garage (on Middlefield near Veteran’s Boulevard), and the
Caltrain parking lot on Perry Street are FREE to the public after 6 pm
and throughout the weekendsThe first 1.5 hours are always free in both
the Jefferson and Marshall parking garagesJefferson Garage is 25¢/hour
weekdays until 6pm ($2.50/hour after 6pm), with 4 hours free with
Century Theatre validationStreet parking rates outside of the core area
of Downtown remain at 25¢ per hour
“
We’ve all witnessed the wonderful renaissance and increasing level of activity in Downtown Redwood City over the last few years,” said Redwood City Mayor Jeffrey Gee. “
That
ongoing success is bringing parking challenges, and we appreciate
everyone’s patience. The new rates and other strategies we’re
implementing will be helpful as Downtown continues its resurgence.“
Over
the next year, the City will be identifying new parking meter
technology, designing new parking facilities, and implementing
electronic signage at the parking garages indicating the number of
spaces available at any given time. The City is also looking at “grab
& go” 20-minute parking spaces, and examining if time limits in some
areas of Downtown will help facilitate parking turnover and circulation
in the “core.”
In the meantime, the City offers several
services to make parking Downtown easier. Parking customers are
encouraged to use the Parker mobile app for real-time help in finding
available parking, and to take advantage of PayByPhone and other
features of the Downtown pay-by-space meters. Information about these
and other tools is online at
www.redwoodcity.org/parking.
For
those who wish to reduce their single-occupant vehicle use, Connect,
Redwood City!can help with alternatives to driving to Redwood City.
Connect, Redwood City! encompasses programs like Zipcar, Bay Area Bike
Share, Caltrain, and SamTrans, making it easier to get to and around
town even when taking transit, carpooling, walking, or riding a bike to
work. More information about these options is online at
www.connectredwoodcity.com.
Visit Redwood City’s website at
www.redwoodcity.org
for information about the City and its services, the community,
recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood
City’s newsletters and other City documents at
www.redwoodcity.org/newsletters.