Kiosk installations ready Olympia for August shift in some downtown parking
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For those who use cash or credit to pay for on-street parking in downtown Olympia, depending on where they park, a change may be coming this August. For most drivers, there will be almost no change at all.
“Downtown continues to be a popular destination, and customers have been quick to adopt the benefits that the PayByPhone app offers - it’s their most preferred option,” said Community Development Program Manager Pam Fant. “Yet we’re taking steps to continue offering choices in popular parking destinations even as technologies continue to evolve.”
The City’s older meters, those served by 2G and 3G networks, will soon no longer be supported. As a result, the City will phase out downtown’s oldest meters. Newer meters and 11 new 4G kiosks will continue to serve those without the PayByPhone app who prefer a cash or credit card option.
For those who already use the City’s PayByPhone app rather than meters – approximately half of the customers who currently park on streets downtown - there is almost no change. In August, these customers will use signs posted mid-block in some areas to record their location and pay for parking instead of the space-specific locations signed on each meter.
For those who prefer a cash or credit option, about half of the current meter locations in downtown are being replaced with 11 new kiosks being installed in late June (reference map).
Kiosks will be located within the block and on the same side of the street as these parking spaces. Drivers using the kiosks will need to remember to keep their license plate number handy yet will also gain the option of a printed receipt. A video on how to use the new kiosks is available online. The City has been piloting this new model of high-speed 4G kiosks at a twelfth kiosk site since January 2022.
To help drivers plan and avoid inconveniences as they attend an appointment, enjoy a performance or make a reservation, City staff are sharing updated parking maps with downtown residents and businesses in advance of the changes.
Those with questions can reach City of Olympia parking staff at parkingservices@ci.olympia.wa.us or 360.753.8017.
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Contact
Pam Fant, Community Development Program Manager
Community Planning and Development Department
360.753.8017
parkingservices@ci.olympia.wa.us
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