The main reasons locals cite for not venturing downtown St. Augustine are traffic and parking. Mobility is an ongoing issue that has no easy solution, but in December 2007, the City of St. Augustine launched a valuable initiative that provided discounted downtown parking fees for St. Johns County residents — the ParkNow Card.
To promote the cards, the first 500 City water customers received a free card (in lieu of the $2.50 one-time charge) when they paid water bills in December 2009. As word spread, the cards gained in popularity. According to Tara Bennie, parking coordinator, about 40,000 cards have been sold, and since the card itself does not expire, many of those may still be active with available funds.
The ParkNow Card still gives St. Johns County residents access to reduced parking fees at City meters, pay stations and in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, but a more convenient App for cell phones was launched in early February.
The card helped, but users wanted to be able to add funds remotely or online instead of going to the water department or one of the “charging stations” downtown. Another request was to locate City parking areas. With the ParkStAug app available for Apple or Android phones, users can pay for parking, receive alerts before a parking session expires and extend a parking session (within the limit) without having to return to the vehicle. Since the vehicle is identified by its license plate, a receipt is not required on the dashboard.
One of the most noticeable changes to downtown parking will be the removal of parking meters. Eliminating parking meters, a downtown fixture for nearly 75 years, is intended to reduce clutter and make it easier for pedestrians, wheelchairs and strollers to get around. Parking pay stations will remain for anyone not using the ParkStAug app.
Back in 2009, the hourly metered rate was $1.50, but those with a ParkNow Card paid 50 cents per hour at meters and just $1 to enter the parking garage. Garage parking rates increased over time, but it’s still affordable for County residents — $3 to park in the garage and still 50 cents per hour at City meters. The on-street time limit is 3 hours; the parking lot time limit is 4 hours. Overnight parking is not allowed in the garage without a special permit.
The new app is not accepted in the parking garage. The only way to get the resident discount at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility is by using ParkNow Card, so the cards will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Download the ParkStAug app free from Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store to pay for parking in all city managed parking locations. The app is similar to others that facilitate online transactions. Once downloaded, the user enters a method of payment and the license plate number of the vehicle. Users can set up the app at home before going downtown to park.
St. Johns County residents can register for discounted fees at www.ParkStAug.com. Be prepared to upload images of your vehicle registration and driver’s license.
According to Bennie, 868 St. Johns County residents have applied for and received the resident discount available on the ParkStAug app. Except during peak times, like weekends or holidays, the turnaround time for approval to receive the resident discount is within two days. Having the proper documentation when submitting the application expedites the process. A driver’s license and vehicle registration with a St. Johns County address is required in order to get the residential discount. Those needing assistance may contact the Parking Division at (904) 845-1090.
Once registered, the resident discount rates will be automatic when paying to park using the app. When the vehicle is parked, the user simply opens the app and selects the zone where the vehicle is located. The zone ID is displayed on signage in the area. Enter the desired amount of parking time, called a session, and with a quick click the user is legally parked. Users know the parking session has successfully started when the Parking Session screen with a session countdown and expiration time is displayed.
When the session is about to expire, the app sends an alert and time can be added to the session if so desired. There’s no need to skip dessert or cut shopping time short because of having to hurry back to the vehicle to “feed the meter.”
Parking is enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Cathedral Place and King Street where enforcement begins at 10 a.m. Parking is enforced every day in the lot for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Complete information on parking in St. Augustine is available online at www.CityStAug.com. Selecting ‘Parking’ under the Living or Visiting tabs.
