A revamped approach to public parking in Wichita’s core has cleared a key step. The City Council on Tuesday approved a pair of ordinance updates necessary for the city to move forward with a long-discussed plan that will include increases to parking fees and meter technology updates in the downtown, Old Town and Delano areas. Local government and economic development officials have said modernizing public parking in the core is an important component for Wichita’s expected downtown growth spurred by a planned $300-million biomedical campus and other major projects. The Council approved the plan itself in March 2023. Among other components, it allows the city to collect parking revenue in new ways, including via smartphone app technology and credit and debit cards. Council member Bryan Frye, who voted in favor of the ordinance updates, said he’s seen other cities with updated parking technology and that it’s “about time” Wichita is doing the same. “As a frequent user of downtown parking, to get with the times and get modern equipment is sorely needed,” he said. “So I’m grateful for that.” Coins will remain a payment option. Handicap parking will not have meters.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
