Port Street parking lot almost ready




City staff anticipates the 157-space public parking lot off Port Street will be ready for public use in about two weeks. It will be the first paid parking lot in the city.

The Port Aransas City Council voted to enter into a service agreement with Honk Mobile USA, Ltd. to collect and manage fees for the parking lot during the council’s last meeting Thursday, March 23.

Parking lot users will be able to scan a QR code on a sign and pay for a parking space through their phone. They will be able to choose how long they want to use the parking lot for. They will also get a reminder before their paid time is over with the option to extend it.

A city parking officer will patrol the parking lot and cite vehicles that are illegally parked, said Lawrence Cutrone, assistant city manager.

City officials are still determining how much to charge for use of the parking lot.

City Manager David Parsons said he expects people to use the parking lot for more long-term use, or days at a time, instead of just parking for an hour.

The parking lot could be used for short-term rental overflow parking or to serve events at the nearby Civic Center. Another idea is using the lot in conjunction with the ferry system for park-and-ride services, City Manager David Parsons has previously said.

The lot also could be opened for free parking for certain events if needed. The parking lot will not have fencing or a kiosk with entry gates, but the City Council could decide to add those factors later.

The parking lot was built on a city-owned piece of property on the west side of Port Street, not far from the ferry landings.

The roughly 50,000-squarefoot lot was paid for by city hotel occupancy tax revenue. The construction bid was for $804,434.

Contact Kathryn Cargo at reporter@portasouthjetty.com.

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