News Article

Updates to ParkAlbany App, Parking Meter Durations and Rates

May 5, 2023

Albany Parking Authority Announces Changes to Parking Meter Rates and Duration Following Pilot Program

All City of Albany on-street parking meters that end at 6 p.m. will now end at 5 p.m.

ALBANY, NY – The Albany Parking Authority announced that beginning on May 8 and May 9 all on-street parking meters that currently end at 6 p.m. will end at 5 p.m. Additionally, beginning on May 8the 15-minute lock out period that protected the progressive meter rates on the ParkAlbany App will be removed. Now, for up to one hour after a parking session has expired, parkers using the ParkAlbany App will be able to continue their parking session within the same Parking Meter Zone, as part of the same rate structure.These changes have garnered support from the local business community, the Albany Common Council, the Albany Police Department, and Mayor Kathy Sheehan. The decision to make this permanent has come after the Authority received positive feedback from a pilot program that had run in the summer and fall of 2022.

“We at the Parking Authority are always looking at ways to better address the parking needs of our city’s residents, businesses, and visitors. After hearing from several small businesses and successfully completing a pilot program around their businesses to gage the impact of these changes, we are excited to roll out these updates city wide! These changes will have limited impact on the Authority’s operations but will have a positive impact for many businesses and their customers. We couldn’t be happier with the collaborative effort that has made this all possible,” said Matthew Peter, Executive Director of the Albany Parking Authority.

“The Albany Parking Authority has been a tremendous supporter of making parking easier for both visitors and small businesses through the launch of the ParkAlbany app, supporting expanded sidewalk cafes, and creating pick-up zones during the pandemic. By eliminating the final hour of metered parking and further improving the ParkAlbany app, the Parking Authority continues to exemplify what is means to be a community partner. I commend the Parking Authority and Executive Director Matthew Peter for their commitment to improving the experience of those living in and visiting our commercial corridors. I also want to thank Councilmembers Love, Zamer, Kimbrough, and Balarin for their partnership in this initiative,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

Changes to Zones 300/301 are planned for May 8 and changes to Zones 400/402 and 500/501 are planned for May 9. As of May 10, no parking meter zone in the City of Albany will extend past 5 p.m. Because of the elimination of the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on-street metered hour, parking meter zones 300, 301, 400, 402, 500 and 501 will all see hourly rate adjustments starting at the third hour of parking, with the Maximum Daily Rate in these zones staying within a few cents of what the maximum daily rate was prior to May 8th. Existing meter rates for the first two hours of parking in any of these zones will stay the same and there will be no changes to any parking meter zones that currently end before or at 5 p.m. The move is supported by the Albany Common Council and local business community.

“This is another example of the great collaboration between the Albany Parking Authority and the City of Albany. When I approached the Authority with parking concerns from small businesses along the Upper New Scotland commercial corridor, they went to work to find a solution. The Authority’s pilot project to shorten parking meter times along the commercial corridor was a success and now meters across the city will end at 5 p.m. This is great news for small businesses who cater to the after-work crowd, and for folks looking to shop or grab a bite to eat on their way home,” said Councilmember Deborah Zamer, 14^thWard.

“This change will create more consistency in our parking system throughout the city. It will also benefit many of our small business on Central Ave,” said Councilmember Alfredo Balarin, 11^thWard.

“We were happy to participate in the Albany Parking Authority’s pilot program to end parking meter clocks at 5 p.m. When we approached the Authority to discuss some of the parking issues along our commercial corridor, they were responsive and open to discussion. Our customers greatly appreciate the time change and have an easier time stopping in the restaurant on their way home from work,” said Susan Moya, Operator of Restaurant 605.

“I just wanted to put on record our support of transitioning the parking meters along Central Avenue from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. As a business located on Central Avenue, we see the detrimental effects of the hour between the typical end of the workday – 5 p.m. – and that additional hour to 6 p.m. Many of our customers have specifically said they would swing by on their way home from work, but they do not want to pay for parking during this time. Having been in business for over 16 years we have seen the difference this makes and the reduction in business and tax revenue. We would also like to say that the continued partnership between the Albany Parking Authority and the local businesses has been quite successful, and we appreciate them taking the time to listen to the business community’s concerns and come up with viable options to ensure a ‘win-win’ scenario,” said Lance Rider, Proprietor of ROCKS.

Full details on parking meter information can be found here.