Topline:
The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles — much of which had free, unrestricted parking — will have a new on-street paid parking system starting Friday, Dec. 15.
How will it work? Drivers will have the option to pay at one of the five new kiosks, or on their phones. Those who opt to pay on their phone can either use a QR code at their location or sign up for one of two apps, which Colin Sweeney, a spokesperson for LADOT, says has its benefits.
“You'll get a notification when your time is expiring. Let's say you're enjoying a dessert at a restaurant. You don't want to have to rush out and feed the meter. You can just pay with your phone to add time," Sweeney said.
The two apps are called Park Smarter and ParkMobile. (ParkMobile has a 10-cent transaction fee. Park Smarter doesn’t.)
Where is this happening? The new kiosk system will be implemented between 1st St and 4th St and Alameda St and Santa Fe Ave. The area encompasses some of the Arts District’s most beloved haunts, from Angel City Brewery to Manuela, a brunch favorite that shares a complex with the Hauser & Wirth art gallery.
How much will it cost? The program is starting at $1/hour with a two-hour limit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday — but with enough demand, drivers could be charged more during the busiest times of day.
“We have the technology and infrastructure in place to make that transition,” Sweeney said. “Much of, for example, central downtown L.A. is under the dynamic pricing model, so we could extend that type of model to this new area if the demand is there for it.”
What brought the change? The Arts District has changed a lot in the last decade, moving from an area full of mostly warehouses to breweries, Michelin-list restaurants, and hip boutiques. A group of businesses asked the L.A. City Council to change its parking system to reflect that shift. The City Council agreed, and reached out to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to start the process in March of this year.
“Parking regulations are designed to support the economic and cultural life of a neighborhood,” Sweeney said. “What this change does is bring the regulations more in line with the present character of that area to encourage regular turnover and discourage cars from sitting on individual spots for extended periods.”