Downtown Kalamazoo Parking Enforcement Hours to Expand, Rates Increase

End of free parking on the Kalamazoo Mall

Jun 03, 2024

A pair of short term parking meters on Saint John Place in downtown Kalamazoo, between First Presbyterian Church and Kalamazoo City Hall. — A pair of short term parking meters on St. John Pl. in downtown Kalamazoo, between First Presbyterian Church and Kalamazoo City Hall.

During today's 7 p.m. business meeting, the Kalamazoo City Commission will hold a first reading of amendments to parking ordinance sections 36-175 and 36-170. The amendments will impact only downtown Kalamazoo and have the following effects:

extend parking meter enforcement hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays (amendment to 36-175C)
add parking meter enforcement on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (amendment to 36-175C)
extend 90-minute free parking enforcement hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (amendment to 36-175C)
allow downtown residents to purchase permits that would allow them and their guests to park on downtown streets overnight (between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m.). Monthly permits would be $86 in the downtown's core and $64 in the outer periphery. Daily guest permits would be $3 in the core and $2.25 in the periphery. "Each monthly permit comes with five nights’ worth of guest parking". (amendments to 36-170A and 36-170B)

If the City Commission approves tonight's first reading, the amendments will be up for final approval at their next business meeting on Monday, June 17. If they are given final approval, the changes will become effective 10 days later on June 27. During both tonight's first hearing and June 17th's final consideration, there will be an opportunity for the public to address the Commission regarding these proposed changes.

A weathered Central City Parking sticker on a short term parking meter in downtown Kalamazoo. It reads, in part: "Free parking 5 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday; meters in operation weekdays 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; city ordinance prohibits street parking from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m., please park in lots or ramps". — A weathered Central City Parking sticker on a short term parking meter in downtown Kalamazoo. It reads, in part: "FREE PARKING 5:00PM FRIDAY UNTIL 8:00AM MONDAY; METERS IN OPERATION WEEKDAYS 8:00AM UNTIL 5:00 PM; CITY ORDINANCE PROHIBITS STREET PARKING FROM 2:00AM UNTIL 6:00AM, PLEASE PARK IN LOTS OR RAMPS".

Also at the June 17th meeting, the City Commission is expected to consider a resolution that would increase downtown parking rates. This resolution would increase short term parking meter rates from $1.75 per hour to $2.00. This new rate will also apply in the Kalamazoo Mall and Epic Center parking ramps. Monthly rates for parking lots (to $75) and ramps ($94 to $115) will also increase.

In addition to the resolution and ordinance amendments, four parking pay stations have been ordered for the S. Kalamazoo Mall. Currently, the Kalamazoo Mall provides free, 90-minute parking. In exchange for the elimination of free parking on the Mall, the first 90 minutes of parking has been free in the Kalamazoo Mall and Epic Center ramps since November 24, 2023.

The staff report indicates that these several changes will be phased in over time:

Before the implementation of the projects mentioned in this agenda report, staff will lead several informational outreach activities for the public and business owners.