City makes changes to downtown parking, loading zone regs

downtown-streetcar-parking

With increased activity and the coming streetcar line, the city is warning that new parking regulations and stepped-up enforcement could affect drivers.

The city council approved several traffic ordinance changes last week due to increased activity, residents and construction in downtown Kansas City, according to a city press release.

“There’s a lot going on downtown right now, and a number of challenges due to construction,” said Parking Manager Bruce Campbell. “We’ve seen an increase in vehicles parked downtown in no parking zones or blocking traffic.”

Councilman Russ Johnson also said motorists need to learn how parking will be changed by the downtown streetcar system, so the city is making changes now to mitigate potential parking issues when the streetcars start running.

Police will begin enforcing these new regulations immediately. In addition, officers will crack down on vehicles illegally parked in no parking zones or blocking lanes of traffic.

The changes

  • Limits on use of loading zones: The new regulations limit the time drivers can park in passenger and property loading zones and require use of emergency flashers for the duration of loading or unloading. Drivers are required to leave most passenger loading zones within 10 minutes, although some zones are identified as three-minute passenger loading zones. Individuals loading or unloading property are required to leave loading zones within 30 minutes.
  • Parking near streetcar stations and bus stops: The regulations prohibit parking within eight feet of a streetcar track or any public transit station, including bus stops and streetcar stations. Motorists found in violation of these regulations may be towed and fined as much as $500.
  • Pay for parking with the mobile app: The city recently launched Parkmobile, a mobile app that lets motorists pay for any of the City’s 1,500 metered parking spots with their smartphone. To use the Parkmobile system, individuals can register for free at www.parkmobile.com  or their smartphone’s app store. Once registered, they can use the mobile app, the Internet or a toll free number – 877-PARK-HLP or 877-727-5457 – to pay for parking. They can also select the option to receive alerts and reminders 15 minutes prior to expiration of their parking session.

View a downtown parking garage map 

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