The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is stirring up more foot traffic for local businesses with a summer-long parking discount. As Action News 5 reports, a limited-time $5 parking deal is in place at 10 downtown garages, a bid to boost patronage at restaurants and shops. This reduced rate, designed to draw visitors during what might otherwise be slow days, is applicable Sunday through Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 until May 31.
Details obtained from FOX13 Memphis indicate that post-May, the $5 bargain adjusts its hours for the summer season, running between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., though some blackout days here and there might break the pattern, there’s ample opportunity for midday visitors to take advantage of the cheaper rate until August's close. Once the initial three hours expire, a prompt via text nudges parkers to pony up the regular hourly rate if they linger longer.
The participating garages spread across downtown are named, including the likes of the Peabody Place Garage at 250 Peabody Place and the Sterick East Lot at 220 Madison Avenue, among others listed; a move that Chandell Ryan, DMC President & CEO, champions as a gesture to "invite more folks downtown" and ease the burden on wallets making parking "more accessible and affordable," a sentiment shared in a statement by Local Memphis. Ryan also hints at the possibility of the program’s expansion if the turnout shows promise.
