New parking meters in the Rainey Street District will be activated Thursday to help improve mobility in the area.
A total of 31 pay stations will be activated along East Avenue, Rainey, Driskill, Davis, Red River, River, Cummings, and Lambie streets. An additional four pay stations will be activated at the Mexican American Cultural Center, which will provide 125 parking spaces.
The city says they have been working with the community to improve parking capacity, reduce congestion and address safety challenges. They say implementing parking meters will address the lack of parking for both visitors and businesses.
They say active parking management creates a turnover of short-term parking and encourages long-term users to use off street spaces.
Parking meter hours are consistent with all other downtown parking areas and cost remains $1 per hour.
Hours of operation and cost at the Mexican American Cultural Center are listed below, however are subject to change.
- Monday - Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. $1/hour
- Monday - Saturday: 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. $5 flat fee
- MACC parking will be open to the public with the exception of event nights when parking will be restricted to visitors of the MACC.
The total cost of the pay stations is roughly $400,000. A portion of the revenue from the pay stations will cover the cost of the pay stations and for parking enforcement officers.
