JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Council unanimously voted to continue the discussion of a proposed change to the fee structure for the parking garage on the corner of Millward Street and Simpson Avenue.
Transportation Manager Dr. Charlotte Frei presented a new plan that would make the first 10 hours in the parking garage free, followed by a rate of $4 per hour with a maximum daily charge of $20. Currently, the garage is free to park in during the day, and $4 per hour between midnight and 4 a.m. for a maximum overnight fee of $20.
Frei also shared data from the SKIDATA parking management system, which was installed in November. The data showed overnight occupancy dropped from a nearly full capacity — between 99% and 100% occupied — to a median occupancy of just 20% between the launch of the fee system last fall and May 15.
Councilor Devon Viehman brought up that a 12-hour free parking period might better accommodate overnight users. For example, to avoid the parking fee a resident could park their car at 8 p.m. and would have to collect their vehicle by 6 a.m. the following day. Viehman expressed that this is still quite a tight turnaround, especially in the winter.
Council members expressed concern about the potential impact on residents who rely on the garage for overnight parking. Councilor Jonathan Schechter mentioned that regular overnight users could still face parking costs approaching $600 per month if the current payment structure stays in place.
