Another change for parking in downtown Fresno. Here’s what to expect

Not all that long ago, parking in downtown Fresno required pocket change.

That was until 2019, when the city of announced some 2,000 parking meters would become part of the ParkMobile network, which allowed users to pay with a smartphone app. The following year, the city installed payment kiosks at several city-owned parking lots and followed that with credit card-enabled parking meters.

At the same time, the city entered inta a $13 million, five-year contract with ACE Parking to handle day-to-day parking operations at its city-owned facilities (the lots, garages and regional parks).

On Monday, the city took over those operations.

According to a statement from the city’s Planning Division, the ACE contract was expiring, “and it seemed like a natural time to change operations.”

“The parking division’s five-year strategic plan included efforts to improve service and oversight of parking downtown,” it wrote.

“By taking on the management role the City will have more direct day-to-day interactions with customers.”

It will come with some cost benefits for the city. The Parking Division can’t share exact numbers yet, but says the transition “is anticipated to be cost-neutral this year with potential savings in future years.”

The big take-away for customers: There are now additional payment options (and the ability to extend time remotely) at more than 4,500 spaces. The garages will no longer have workers at the payment booths and instead customers will pay via the ParkMobile App, at a kiosk or by texting “Park” to 77223. Security patrols and parking enforcement staff will monitor the lots and garages to report any issues, the city said.

All affected spaces are clearly marked with new signage to help customers through the transition.