PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — No, you don’t have to pay to park after 7 p.m. after all.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced Wednesday that the city will pause enforcement of its extended paid parking hours. The new hours had been in effect since Sept. 2.
“As we rolled out new parking rates, we heard concerns from residents, businesses and Council members about the timing and impact of extended evening hours,” the mayor said as part of a written statement.
“While the increased hourly rate has been broadly accepted, our downtown economy is still in recovery, and we need to ensure that our parking policies support evening activity and small businesses,” he said.
As KOIN 6 News previously reported, hourly parking rates were increased across the city in July, along with SmartPark Garage fees and rideshare fees. At the same time, the city extended tits enforcement of paid parking zones from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Now, beginning Oct. 15, the hours it is required to pay to park will revert back to 7 p.m., except during event district hours.
In Northwest Portland, where the extended paid parking hours were previously scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1 with enforcement after 7 p.m., is now postponed.
According to the mayor’s press release, the pause is necessary to support the city’s recovery from the pandemic.
Amanda Rhoades
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