April 30, 2013

Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District
Takes Effect Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Parking Meters to Operate Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. - 2 a.m.

After months of preparation and planning, Houston's first Parking Benefit District (PBD) along the Washington Avenue Corridor will take effect on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Parking meters along the corridor will begin operating every Monday - Sunday, 7 a.m. - 2 a.m.

The Washington Corridor PBD is bounded by Houston Avenue, Center Boulevard, Lillian Street/Decatur Street and Westcott Street.

In the Washington Avenue PBD, approximately 60 percent of the revenue from the paid parking spaces along the PBD will return to the district where it will fund neighborhood projects such as landscaping, street maintenance, public safety, lighting, sidewalk and pedestrian improvements, and more. The remaining 40 percent will go to a fund that offsets the district's expenses.

An advisory committee, comprised of seven people who live or work in the PBD, appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, will decide how the revenue is used based on community feedback during public meetings.

The PBD is meant to manage the Corridor's supply and demand so that parking is more convenient and easy for drivers in one of the City's portfolio of once-stagnant areas that has seen rapid and dense mixed-use redevelopment. Drivers can pay for the meters with their credit card or via a phone where they can "feed the meter" with a simple click of a button from anywhere using the Parkmobile App. Houston's PBD plan also includes the designation of permit parking areas for residents and business owners of the corridor. Permit parking is effective Thursday - Sunday, 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.

The PBD will undergo formal City Council review 18 months after implementation, adjusting the revenue split and other variables as necessary. Additionally, the PBD will undergo ongoing evaluation of the district's performance.

For more information on the Washington Avenue PBD, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/parking/washingtonavenue.html. Email parking@houstontx.gov or call 832.393.8645 with any questions.

Visit https://www.houstontx.gov/parking/ to learn more about the City of Houston's Parking Management Division.