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1. What are the potential changes to the downtown parking program?

1. Downtown public off-street Parking Plazas free parking time limits will extend from 2 hours to 3 hours. Plaza 4 will remain 2 hours.
2. Downtown 1 hour on-street parking spaces free parking time limits will extend to 90 minutes.

2. Where will these downtown parking program changes take effect?

See the Menlo Park Downtown Parking map for Plaza and on-street time limits.

3. When will these downtown parking program changes take effect?

The changes will be implemented as part of a 6-month pilot program that begins on January 4, 2016.

4. Why are these changes being recommended?

The City has received repeated remarks from Downtown patrons that their stays in Downtown typically exceed the current time limit restrictions. In response to these remarks, the City is implementing this 6-month pilot program in hopes of alleviating these issues.

5. Will there be any adjustments to the current pay parking option in parking plazas 1 and 5?

Downtown patrons will be offered 3 hours of free parking instead of 2. The current pay parking option and rate will remain unchanged after the free time limit.

6. Will there be any adjustments to the number of parking spaces?

No, the existing number of parking spaces will remain.

7. Will there be any adjustments to the parking enforcement periods?

No, the parking enforcement period will remain unchanged. Current enforcement periods are Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

8. Will there be any adjustments to the temporary one-day or annual parking permits?

No, the current temporary one-day and annual parking permit program policies and procedures will remain unchanged for the upcoming year (2016). However, due to high continuous yearly demand, the current annual permit program will be evaluated in the upcoming year. Findings will be shared at a future Council meeting before any permanent changes are made. If you’d like to participate or provide feedback as part of this evaluation, please contact us at transportation@menlopark.org.

9. How would my parking experience be impacted by these changes?

Longer parking time limits are expected to generate more parking demand, as well as re-distribution of the existing parking demand. As part of the pilot program, studies will be conducted to evaluate whether parking spaces remain available for customers during the 6-month pilot program. Results will be shared at a future City Council meeting before any permanent changes are made. If you’d like to provide feedback as part of this evaluation, please contact us at transportation@menlopark.org.

10. Who should I contact for any concerns and/or questions?

Please contact the Transportation Division directly.