Great Falls Considers New Free Downtown Parking Plan

A New Downtown Parking Proposal in Great Falls

Mention parking in downtown Great Falls, and you’re probably going to hear an opinion or two.

Now the city is looking at a new plan, and you can bet people are going to have thoughts about it.

Making Downtown More Accessible For Shoppers

The idea is actually pretty simple. For the first two hours, parking in the downtown garages would be free. Stay longer than that, and that’s when you’d start paying.

It’s the city’s way of trying to meet people in the middle. If you’re just downtown to do a little shopping, grab lunch, or run a few errands, you wouldn’t have to worry about paying for parking.

One of the biggest problems downtown has been people parking and leaving their vehicles there all day. That makes it harder for customers to find a spot, which isn’t great for local businesses.

What Happens Next With The Parking Plan

That’s where this compromise comes in. You get free parking when you need it, but there’s still enough structure to keep spots opening up throughout the day.

Of course, when you compromise, not everyone is going to be happy. Some people won’t like paying at all, while others will just be glad they don’t have to dig around for change or mess with a parking kiosk every time they head downtown.

The next step is for the city commission to talk it over on April 21. If it gets approved, the changes could happen shortly after that.

And if you want to see the discussion for yourself, the meeting will be open to the public.

Source: KRTV