COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington adopted a new parking plan for its popular MainStrasse neighborhood at the Board of Commissioners Meeting on Tuesday, October 6.
With the steady rise of new restaurants and businesses, and the continued success of existing ones, the parking plan was designed to benefit residents and businesses alike.
“With all of the new businesses opening in MainStrasse, a reliable and efficient parking system is necessary,” said Mike Yeager, City Engineer. “Residents in the area are having a difficult time finding available on-street parking, and businesses are not seeing the parking turnover in front of their buildings that they would like to see. A comprehensive parking plan will help to resolve these issues,” Yeager explained.
City staff has been gathering feedback on potential solutions for the past several months. Stakeholder meetings were held with a group of neighborhood business owners and residents to develop an initial plan.
The plan was then presented to the MainStrasse Village Association and to the general public at a Board of Commissioners caucus meeting. City staff received great feedback, which was was carefully considered in developing the final plan.
The final parking plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners is a blend of off-street paid parking, on-street paid parking, and a residential parking program. It will take approximately 90 days for the plan to take effect.
The large MainStrasse lot on West 5th Street will now cost $1 per hour with a $2 maximum charge, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monthly passes for residents and businesses will also be available.
On-street pay stations will costs $0.70 per hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residential parking passes will be available for specified on-street areas for $25 annually. Residential passes will also be available for other smaller lots for $25 monthly.
Other changes include making Bakewell Street one way north from West 9th to West 6th Street to accommodate more residential parking, and limiting parking Philadelphia Street to two hours from West 5th to West 6th Street.
Yeager acknowledged that adjustments may be needed in the future. “The plan as it currently stands may not be perfect but it’s a great start. It was developed from the ideas and concerns of residents and tbusinesses. The City will keep a close eye on the parking situation in MainStrasse from this point forward and make any necessary tweaks if problems arise.”
For full details, including a map, click here.