Parking Rates, Hours To Be Updated In St. Armands Circle Monday To Match Downtown Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — Paid parking operations in the St. Armands Parking District will be updated starting Monday. The new rates and hours of operation will align with those in downtown Sarasota to provide consistency within the parking districts, the city said in a news release.

On-street parking rates and times will be $1.50 an hour, the current maximum rate, throughout the St. Armands Circle district. Meters will be in service from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding city-observed holidays.

“We’re moving to a one zone, one rate program in St. Armands,” Mark Lyons, parking general manaer, said. “With over 700,000 transactions since the start-up, data shows that 85 (percent) of on-street parking users on St. Armands currently opt to use the $1.50 per hour spaces. The rate change will provide consistency throughout the St. Armands parking district and downtown’s system, making it easier to use."

When using the Park Mobile app or a pay station, 10 minutes free on-street parking will be provided in the St. Armands Parking District like downtown.

Rates for the St. Armands Garage also will become consistent with the city’s two parking garages in downtown. The first two hours will be free, while the third hour costs $3 and users will be charged $1 for each additional hour or part of an hour after that.

The Fillmore Lot will be adjusted from 75 cents per hour to $1 per hour or part of an hour.

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About 150 free on-street parking spaces, located within a short walk of the shops and restaurants on St. Armands Circle, will remain free along North and South Boulevard of the Presidents.

The adjustments to the St. Armands Parking District will provide consistency with downtown paid parking and are necessary to meet requirements tied to the revenue bonds which funded the construction of the St. Armands Garage, the city said.

The paid parking modifications were recommended by a consultant following an analysis of the St. Armands Parking District and were agreed upon by the St. Armands Business Improvement District and St. Armands Merchant Association.