Knoxville residents and visitors to downtown are in for some adjustments as the city rolls out its revised parking plan starting this Saturday, March 1, when crews will begin replacing parking signs and meters. According to WBIR, this overhaul comes in partnership with ParkMobile, the digital parking payment app intended to streamline the payment process.
Under the new system, the cost for two-hour street parking zones will increase from $1.50 to $2 an hour beginning March 10, while four-hour zones will see a rise from $0.30 to $1 per hour, as stated by WVLT. It's important to note that evening and weekend parking will remain free, except for a $3 flat fee for Saturday parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Market Square Garage, which stands as the single garage to undergo this change.
To facilitate payments, ParkMobile requires users to download its app, scan a QR code on parking signs, or text 'park' to 77223, mirroring the system used at the University of Tennessee's campus. As reported by WATE, the transition to digital payment is part of the city's efforts to update its infrastructure to meet increasing downtown activity, as the area has experienced significant growth with more businesses opening.
The transition to ParkMobile's system, however, also means the end of coins and cash for on-street parking, although these methods will still be accepted at city garages. The adjustments to parking space, which include reducing maximum parking times on the street from 10 hours to four, aim to reflect the evolving needs of the city's bustling center and to encourage turnover — a move possibly inspired by the input from public consultations that began as early as 2023.
