City of Rochester Expands Free Parking In Downtown Parking Ramps
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The City of Rochester is expanding its popular free parking program.
With an effort to encourage visits to downtown, all parking sessions under two hours in public ramps are free. This will start immediately and run through the end of the year, according to a news release from the City.
Before, the city waived the parking fee if patrons were in and out of the ramp in under an hour. Now, by increasing the limit on a free session, the City hopes it encourages visitors to downtown to make an extra stop, visit a retiral, dining, or entertainment establishment.
“There is so much to do in downtown Rochester,” remarked Ia Xiong, Rochester’s transit and parking systems manager. “We are giving visitors a chance to stay a little longer and give a downtown business a try while still taking advantage of free short-term parking in the ramps.”
The program was developed after a series of listening sessions downtown, where business owners expressed the need to stimulate activity after such a long period of restrictions due to COVID-19.
“Parking is free over 75% of the time in downtown Rochester,” Xiong said. “And with thousands of spaces at meters, in surface lots and in ramps, you can always find a place to park.”
Those who want to take advantage of the expanded free parking period must enter and exit the parking ramp in under two hours. Customers may stay beyond two hours but will be responsible for paying parking fees that will include the cost for the first two hours.
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