City could increase parking meter hours

The City of Austin could soon extend paid parking meter hours in city-owned spots to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday nights, according to a Community Impact story.

Last week, the paper reported that Austin Transportation Department Director Robert Spillar last month issued memo to the council in which he noted that a recent parking study had found that the number of occupied parking spaces downtown on Wednesday nights—an average of 86 percent—exceeded best practices.

ATD has proposed an ordinance that would extend the paid parking time on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

According to the paper, an ATD spokesperson estimated the change would net the city $33,000 per month but maintained that the main issue was the need to increase turnover that downtown businesses need.

After notifying downtown stakeholders of the proposed change and solicit feedback, Community Impact reported, the proposal will go before the City Council for a vote. If approved, the new hours would go into effect in next year.