After public outcry, including a petition started by impacted small business owners, the City of KCMO has rolled back surge parking charges after barely one week of implementation.

These “long-term convenience premiums,” which charged up to $3.75 per hour ($40+ a day), will no longer be found in the River Market. Other downtown loop surge pricing remains, including street parking in Power & Light and the Crossroads.

Why charge now?

But why, after all this time, was our free parking oasis converted into a paid pad? According to the docket for the responsible ordinance, the change was made:

To help control downtown traffic (read: encourage use of ride-hailing + public transportation)
To generate more revenue for KC's On-Street Parking program

Where is the money going?

The City of KCMO says "revenue generated from paid parking [...] may fund transportation infrastructure, public services, maintenance, and urban development projects."

Now we have a question for you — where are you finding free parking downtown now? Let us know and you could be featured in a future newsletter.