Predictable Parking Availability, Streamlined Permit Zones Coming to University District on August 9
New on-street parking plan adds convenience, mobile pay areas and meter rate adjustments
Beginning on August 9, the University District Parking Plan will be implemented to modernize and simplify permit parking, add paid parking spaces and adjust meter rates to better manage on-street parking access and availability in The Ohio State University campus area, the Columbus Division of Parking Services has announced.
For customer convenience, the plan incorporates virtual permitting technology and the ParkColumbus mobile app as a payment option. Fifteen existing University District permit parking areas with differing on-street restrictions are now consolidated into three permit zones with consistent restrictions and minor expansions that prioritize parking access for residents. The plan was developed with extensive engagement and feedback from residents, students, businesses and higher education.
On July 12, residents can begin to purchase permits online at www.parkcolumbus.com or by visiting Parking Services, 2700 Impound Lot Road, Columbus, 43207. Residents are encouraged to view the zone details and map, and get more information about purchasing and managing parking permits, here: https://www.columbus.gov/UDPermits/.
Zone UDA will be permit parking only from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with no overnight parking restrictions. Zones UDB and UDC will be permit parking from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily but allow for on-street paid parking through the ParkColumbus app. Permit holders are not required to pay the hourly rate, and there are no overnight restrictions.
Parking Services will introduce progressive pricing in zones UDB and UDC, a best practice employed in other major cities to encourage on-street parking turnover and prioritize access and availability for residents, while allowing flexibility for guests. Visitors and guests who choose to park on-street between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. will pay $2 per hour for the first three hours. After that, the rate will progressively increase by 50 cents per hour up to a maximum of 14 hours. Metered parking outside of residential permit zones will remain at a fixed rate per hour.
Other changes the plan will implement include:
Adding virtual permitting that uses the license plate number on the permit holder’s vehicle instead of hangtags or stickers. Parking Services will use license plate recognition (LPR) to enforce permit and paid parking. For more information on how LPR works, visit https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/parking/Parking-Enforcement/.
Adjusting meter time limits to three hours at an hourly rate of $1 to align with Short North and Downtown daytime parking rates. These rates will also be implemented at all mobile pay areas outside of residential permit zones.
Removing the majority of parking meters on campus area side streets off High Street and replacing with mobile pay-only for convenient contactless payment and less maintenance. Parking kiosks will be installed at 10th Avenue and Neil Avenue to provide cash and credit payment options. To learn how to use the app, visit https://www.columbus.gov/publicservice/parking/ParkColumbus-Mobile-Payment-Application/
Businesses within permit zones may purchase parking permits for employee use.
“The University District Parking Plan will improve convenience, predictability and availability in this densely populated neighborhood while encouraging the use of mobility options,” said Jennifer L. Gallagher, Director of the Department of Public Service.
“Parking Services will monitor and evaluate how the new rate structure is performing in the first six months of implementation and consider adjustments if needed to be responsive to the community and parking demand,” said Robert Ferrin, Assistant Director of the Division.
The University District plan was developed in Parking Services’ comprehensive Strategic Parking Plan initiative that also studied Downtown, Franklinton, and South of Downtown neighborhoods German Village, the Brewery District and South Side. The comprehensive study looked at data and factors such as existing parking conditions, parking behaviors including occupancy and turnover, curb inventory, land use and mobility.
