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Parking in Downtown Flagstaff: Why It Matters
Good parking is essential for a lively downtown. When there's enough convenient parking, it helps everyone: businesses, customers, visitors, employees, residents, and even those looking to invest in the area. For Downtown Flagstaff to truly thrive and serve all these different groups, we need the right kinds of parking, in the right places, and in the right amounts.
What makes Downtown Flagstaff unique is that, until recently, there hadn't been much effort put into creating enough public parking or managing the limited spots available. That's where ParkFlag comes in.
What is
ParkFlag?
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Launched in 2017, ParkFlag is a complete parking program designed to manage street parking and city-owned lots in Downtown Flagstaff, the Southside, and nearby neighborhoods.
This program includes:
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Paid parking at kiosks
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Permits for employees and residents
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Time-limited parking
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Enforcement of ADA (handicapped) parking regulations and unsafe parking habits (like parking the wrong way on a one-way street or blocking driveways and alleys)
In short, ParkFlag helps ensure that parking in Downtown Flagstaff is well-managed and works for everyone.
Benefits of ParkFlag
ParkFlag manages public parking in downtown Flagstaff and its surrounding neighborhoods. This plan helps us:
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Better manage our existing—and limited—parking supply. We're making the most of the spots we already have.
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Provide a dedicated funding source to acquire or build additional parking. This means we can invest in creating more parking for the future.
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Take a comprehensive approach. ParkFlag addresses parking needs for everyone: residents, employees, business owners, customers, and visitors.
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Offer a more convenient and positive experience for everyone coming to downtown, whether they live, work, or visit here.
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Provide free ECO passes for employees and additional bike racks to encourage other ways of getting around.
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Utilize Parking Aides as ambassadors. They're not just there to enforce rules; they also educate people on parking options and positive parking behavior.
In short, ParkFlag helps ensure that parking in Downtown Flagstaff is well-managed and works for everyone.
How Is The Revenue Managed
ParkFlag is a program run by the City's Economic Vitality Division. However, the money for ParkFlag—both what it earns and what it spends—is kept completely separate from the City's main budget (called the General Fund). Instead, it's managed in a special "Special Revenue Fund."
This separate accounting was formally put in place by the City Council through an official ordinance. What this means for you is simple: all the money related to ParkFlag can only be used for ParkFlag. These funds cannot be used for any other city projects, initiatives, or services that aren't directly related to the operation and maintenance of the ParkFlag system.
The "Lockbox" Provision: Investing in Future Parking
In addition to keeping ParkFlag funds separate, there's another important requirement, often called the "lockbox" provision. An ordinance was passed that requires at least 20% of ParkFlag's total earnings to be set aside in a separate fund. This dedicated money is specifically for acquiring land or building new parking facilities.
This "lockbox" is a really important step. For the first time ever in Flagstaff, we now have a dedicated way to fund and create more parking for the future. It ensures that a portion of parking revenue directly contributes to expanding our parking options.
Our Parking Aides:
More Than Just Enforcement
Our Parking Aides are here to do more than just enforce rules; they're also dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and acting as Ambassadors for Downtown Flagstaff.
Our main goal is to help you understand and follow parking rules, not just to issue tickets. Parking Aides are a friendly resource for general information on:
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Parking locations throughout downtown
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How to use kiosks and parking apps
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Where to find free parking options
At the same time, they fairly regulate parking rules and address unsafe parking habits like blocking driveways or alleys, parking on crosswalks, or parking outside marked lines. They're here to ensure a smooth and safe parking experience for everyone in Downtown Flagstaff.