Public parking rates expected to jump by $1 an hour

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

What a difference a dollar can make.

That’s the idea behind a $1 per hour rate increase to park in Key West public parking lots, garages and at street parking meters. The dollar jump is estimated to bring in an additional $2.4 million a year, according to Thaddeus Cohen, city Planning Director, and will be divided between a transportation alternative fund (33 percent), the city affordable housing trust fund (40 percent) and the general fund (27 percent). Key West City Commissioners are scheduled to give a second and final stamp of approval to the rate increase at their Dec. 6 meeting.

Almost half of the money raised by the jump in hourly parking costs – an estimated $1.1 million – will go into the transportation fund and be used to pay for a free bus shuttle service running throughout the Old Town area. Cohen said the goal is to help reduce traffic congestion and free up more parking spaces in the downtown business and residential district.

“All of Monroe County feels that we need a reduction in the cars,” he said. “I think particularly here in Key West on a daily basis we find that it’s becoming more difficult to get around.”

If passed on second reading – the first reading resulted in a 5-2 vote to approve – the rates for street parking will rise from $2 an hour to $3; parking at Mallory Square will jump to $5 an hour; and space at the Key West Bight will increase to $3.50 per hour. Parking revenue taken in by the city currently is divided between the general fund and the municipal transit system. Parking revenue from the Bight goes into a fund that pays for infrastructure repairs to city-owned property located in historic Bight seaport.

While the $1 an hour increase will more directly impact tourists, some residents are also worried about the hit to their wallets when they drive downtown, particularly if they want to go out to a restaurant or other event at night. But Cohen proposed an idea designed to take some of the sting out of the new rates. Anyone with a residential parking sticker, which costs $10 a year, will be able to park for free for four hours at the two park and ride lots at Caroline Street and next to the new firehouse on Simonton and Angela streets.

“We think we can address the needs of the community so they’re not impacted,” Cohen said.

The route for the proposed new shuttle service, called a “circulator,” is still being developed but will likely drive a 20-minute loop starting at the parking garage on Grinnell and Caroline streets, down Caroline and across Whitehead Street, then up United Street, across Simonton Street and up Fleming Street. The route will be free but operating costs are estimated at $1 million for its first year.

Cohen said he hopes the circulator will begin operations sometime in November or December 2017. The city will soon begin advertising to hire bus drivers for the shuttle. Local businesses, the lodging industry and non-profit organizations will be asked to help promote the shuttle when it launches.

The circulator is part of the city planning and transportation departments’ efforts to move towards what staff call a “car-free Key West.” Other programs to encourage more biking and walking in town are also being developed.

“There’s much more to see in Key West if you’re not in a vehicle. Even living here there are so many nooks and crannies to explore,” Cohen said.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]