Garage and Lots
What is the definition of a public parking facility?
Parking is defined by use, not by ownership. Garages and lots are open for public parking whenever any motorist can pay a fee to park. Private or restricted parking facilities are only open to permitted employees or customers of a business or institution.
Where can I find the Parking Authority Garages?
- Riverfront Garage: located at Columbia Street between Broadway and Water Street;
- Green-Hudson Garage: located at Green Street and Hudson Avenue; and
- Quackenbush Garage: located at Broadway and Orange Street behind 677 Broadway.
- For more information, please click on GARAGES.
What are the operating hours of the Authority garages?
- Riverfront Garage: operates 24/7 except major holidays.
- Green-Hudson Garage: operates from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and is closed most major holidays. It is open some weekend hours for select Times Union Center events.
- Quackenbush Garage: operates from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and is closed most major holidays. It is open some weekend hours for select Palace Theater events.
- For more information, please click on CONTACT US.
What are the parking rates in the Albany Parking Authority garages?
Please click on Garage Rates for pricing.
Which other garages and lots are available for public parking?
A Downtown Parking Inventory of all public parking facilities and their rates is periodically updated by the Parking Authority, and is a part of this website.
Will downtown businesses validate my parking ticket for free parking?
Over a dozen downtown businesses validate free parking for customers in Authority garages. You must take the ticket with you to have it stamped.
How can I sign up for monthly parking?
You can purchase your garage parking online with a Visa, Mastercard or Discovery card, or in person at the garage location you prefer. The garage manager can answer your questions and will assist you in purchasing your access card. Monthly parking is sold by the calendar-month, and is not pro-rated. Your access card allows for an unlimited number of entries and exits from the garage, resulting in a reduced rate from the regular daily charges. Passes for the current month will be sold until the 15th. After the 15th, it may be cheaper to pay by the day.
How does the monthly access card system work?
Upon completion of an application, payment of a refundable card fee and the first month's rental in advance, the uniquely coded access card is issued to the monthly parker.
When are monthly payments payable, and what happens if I don't pay on time?
Monthlies agree to pay by the first day of each month, in advance. Your access card will not open the gate if your payment is late. Daily rates apply until your fee is paid. There are no refunds for daily payments if your payment is late.
Am I able to transfer my access card to someone else?
No, the access card cannot be assigned to anyone other than the original monthly parker. The card must always be used in sequence to enter and then to exit the garage. Using the card out of sequence will result in anti-pass back that prevents the gate from rising.
What happens if I damage or misplace my monthly access card?
Monthlies are urged to carefully handle and keep track of their cards. Cards will be replaced for a fee. See the parking garage manager in your facility immediately to replace a card. Your old card number is coded out and that card becomes unusable.
Can I park my motorcycle in the garage?
Motorcycles are not allowed in the garages for various reasons. Please see our motorcycle policy for details.
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Parking Meters
Where are the parking meters located?
Nearly all the downtown meters are located on the 100 commercial block-faces within the area generally bounded by Broadway and Swan Street, and by Madison and Livingston Avenue.
What are the meter operating hours?
Meters operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except major national holidays.
How long can I park at a meter?
Check the overhead white and green traffic signs posted on every block where meters are located, and look through the glass meter dome to determine the time limit. Most meters allow parking up to two hours, but a few only have a 20-minute duration in high turnover areas. Others permit parking up to four and up to ten hours.
What are the rates on the parking meters?
Fees range from 12 minutes for a quarter to 30 minutes for a quarter, depending on meter location. Please click on METERS to get more information.
Which coins do parking meters accept?
All meters only take valid United States quarters and the new gold-colored dollar coins, and most provide 12 minutes for 25 cents. Canadian coins, pennies, nickels and dimes will not register time.
Who do I call if a parking meter malfunctions?
You can phone the Parking Authority at (518) 434-8886. Please note the meter ID number under the glass dome before calling.
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CashKey
How much does a CashKey cost?
CashKeys are free, but have a refundable deposit of $20 that is due upon the issuance of the CashKey.
How much money can I put on the CashKey?
You may put as little as $10 or as much as $100 on a CashKey in $10 increments. Treat your CashKey the same as cash, as no refunds can be issued for a lost CashKey.
How can I tell how much money is left on my CashKey?
Go to a CashKey meter and insert your key in the receptacle once to see the dollar amount on your key. The amount shown is rounded to the nearest dollar. Then, take the key out so you are ready to put time on the meter. Each subsequent key insertion is the same as inserting a quarter.
May I use change in a CashKey meter?
Yes, and you may also alternate between key insertions and coin insertions.
Will I still be charged if I use the CashKey and it does not give my parking meter time?
You should make sure you insert the CashKey all the way into the receptacle on the meter. The CashKey will not be charged if there is no time given, nor will it charge past the time limit of the meter.
When I leave my CashKey in the receptacle, my parking meter reads: "FAIL". Does this mean my CashKey is broken?
No. The CashKey should only be in the receptacle no more than two seconds. If your meter is reading "FAIL" while your key is in the meter, simply pull it out and start over.
What if there is something stuck in the CashKey receptacle and I can't put my key in all the way to get time?
Simply park in another space and notify the Albany Parking Authority so we can fix the problem. You can reach us at (518) 434-8886.
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General
What can I do about a parking ticket?
Read the instructions on the ticket about options for payment and appeal. The Parking Authority doesn't issue citations since the Albany Police Department enforces all meters.
What if my car is booted or towed?
Booting and towing are Albany Police Department enforcement responsibilities. You should call the phone number on the Booting Notice. If your car is towed, call (518) 462-6593.
How can I get a handicapped tag or plate?
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues handicapped tags or plates to qualified vehicle owners. Visit their website at www.dmv.ny.gov/.
Where can I get information about bus routes and schedules?
You may call CDTA at (518) 482-8822, or click on the CDTA website.
Where can I get general downtown information?
You may call the BID at (518) 465-2143, or click on the BID website.
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