Blog

Jul 28, 2023

Downtown Baton Rouge’s new parking system nears completion

East Baton Rouge Parish is close to fully implementing its new parking system for downtown Baton Rouge, though a few tweaks are pending before its official launch. The revamped system is designed to

East Baton Rouge Parish is close to fully implementing its new parking system for downtown Baton Rouge, though a few tweaks are pending before its official launch.

The revamped system is designed to encourage parking turnover, which should benefit downtown businesses and simultaneously increase revenue for the city-parish.

Of the 93 newly installed kiosks, nine are awaiting activation, according to city-parish spokesperson Mark Armstrong. The outdated coin-operated meters, notorious for their malfunctions, have been removed.

Drivers now have multiple payment options: Using the kiosks, accessing a dedicated app, sending a text message or scanning a QR code provided on downtown signage. Although enforcement measures are already in place, the police department will soon integrate license plate readers into their handheld ticketing devices.

Armstrong says a meeting is scheduled for next week to evaluate the system’s rollout. A formal public launch is planned once all the technology components are operational.

Mayor Sharon Weston Broome’s administration has been trying to overhaul the downtown parking system for years, after scrapping a plan originally proposed by former Mayor Kip Holden. In 2020, the city-parish finalized changes in the management of city-owned parking garages, but supply chain snags in 2021 delayed installation of the new meters.

Parking regulations are in effect from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The cost is 25 cents per 15 minutes with a two-hour limit.