The City of Sioux Falls is making some changes to downtown public parking.
That includes extended ticketing hours and a new way to pay for parking spots.
The city is transitioning to “Text to Park” for the downtown area. Drivers can park and then text a one-word code to a number. From there, you are texted back a secure link to pay for parking online via credit card.
The city said eventually the text to park would replace the current app used to pay. Coins can still be used to pay at all meters as well.
Matt Nelson is the Public Parking Manager for the City of Sioux Falls. He said the text to park is going to provide convenience to downtown parking.
“We’ve been running with this through the Sioux Steel District for approximately three weeks. We’ve worked through all the bugs, all the integrations and we’re very confident with how well it works and the feedback we’ve gotten from citizens on it,” Nelson said. “It’s a very simple process to work. Some of the nice features to this is we could bring this to every parking meter downtown, which includes smart meters, what we refer to as ‘dumb’ meters that currently don’t take credit cards, so it will open up our downtown and make it accessible to everyone.”
Nelson added it also sends reminders ten minutes before the time expires. Then, you can either run to your car or pay to extend the time online and avoid a citation.
Another change the city is implementing is extending enforcement hours for metered parking to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It was done at the request of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc., a group promoting economic development in the area.
Brandon Hanson is the CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls. He said the change is to drive improvements for local businesses downtown.
“The research shows specifically that each parking spot has an opportunity cost of about $20,000 of annual revenue for the small businesses in that area if they’re turned over more frequently,” Hanson said. “Each enhancement, starting May 1, ultimately support that and support the curve and at the meter, which will ultimately increase foot track and eventually sales for these businesses who desperately need it.”
Off-street parking in ramps and lots will still be free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
