Decrease in Parking Rates Coming After Labor Day

With the summer season winding down, the City of Traverse City will begin transitioning downtown parking rates and enforcement hours to a post-Labor Day schedule. The changes will be implemented during the week of September 7 and are anticipated to be fully converted by September 11.

The following rate decreases and shorter enforcement hours will take effect:

> Premium meters and Hardy Parking Structure: Rates will decrease from $1.75 to $1.60 per hour.
> Non-premium meters and Old Town Parking Structure: Rates will decrease from $1.50 to $1.35 per hour.
> Central Business District enforcement hours: Paid parking hours will return to 8am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Summer hours had been enforced through 8pm.

The seasonal approach is "designed to align rates and enforcement hours with periods of highest demand," according to the city's Bay Brief. "During the peak summer season, increased visitation places greater demand on the downtown parking system, while the post-Labor Day transition reflects lower seasonal demand and a greater share of everyday use by year-round residents, employees, and local businesses. This approach allows the city to leverage peak-season activity to support parking operations and system infrastructure improvements while providing lower rates and shorter enforcement hours during the non-peak season."