Dave Hayward
City officials are expanding a trial of free, all-day parking on side streets in downtown Columbus.
The Columbus Board of Works has approved a recommendation from the Columbus Parking Commission to remove three hour time limits on Jackson Street on a trial basis in the following areas:
- Jackson from Second to Third Street, both sides of the street
- Jackson from Third to Fourth Street, both sides of the street
- Jackson Fourth to Fifth Street, east side of the street
The change will go into effect as soon as the time limit signs are removed from these areas, said Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward. It’s hoped that this could occur this week, but it could be later.
The board voted in December to approve the commission’s recommendation that a number of downtown side streets move from three-hour limits to free, all-day parking on a trial basis. This went into effect in mid-January, with city officials saying they would monitor how the change affects parking space availability on Washington Street.
According to Hayward, the following areas were included in the initial trial: Fourth Street from Jackson to Franklin, Fifth Street from Jackson to Franklin, Sixth Street from Jackson to Franklin and Seventh Street from Jackson to Franklin.
He wrote in a memo to the board that the change has been a success and has encouraged more drivers to park in these areas, thereby creating more availability on Washington Street.
“Washington Street will remain three-hour parking, and just about everything else in the downtown area will become all-day, unlimited parking,” said Hayward.
Columbus City Councilman and Commission Chairman Tom Dell said earlier that the commission would like to continue monitoring utilization in the trial area — including the new addition of Jackson Street — before making a recommendation on whether to make the change permanent.
The board also approved the commission’s recommendation to lower lease rates in city-owned Lots 3 and 10 from $65 per month to $32.50. The lots are located at Fourth and Franklin and Seventh and Franklin streets. The change goes into effect on April 1.
Dell said that there is an “overabundance” of available spaces in the two areas, particularly in Lot 10, which he attributed to the city’s past decision to raise rates.
“We think the cost of those spaces is a deterrent for the people renting,” he said.
For lessees who have already paid for the entire year, payments in excess of the new price will be applied to their 2024 fees.
