In an effort to remove parking as a barrier for downtown visitors, the village of Coconut Grove, FL, offers valet parking. While some residents complain about the loss of on-street parking, others view the service as an important amenity for the upscale downtown.
The May issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter provides the mechanics of the system: In a typical arrangement, business owners apply to the parking authority for permission to lease curb spots, they then contract with private valet operators. The designated curb spaces are rarely used for actual parking, instead serving as a drop-off spot where drivers pull up before an attendant takes the car to a remote lot.
The parking authority charges business owners a modest fee of $20 per space, per day. Mark Burns, executive director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District, says that the service is a crucial amenity for businesses in the Grove, and that the service enhances accessibility and convenience. “The challenge is maintaining its affordability while ensuring its availability for our valued patrons.”
More on improving access to downtown appears regularly in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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