The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority is updating its Downtown parking program with a new mobile app, new website, and more ways to pay for a spot. Effective immediately, people should begin using the ParkMobile app and use www.parkmacon.com to pay or appeal citations, request permits, and get more information.

“ParkMobile is a more reliable service with more ways for people to pay for a spot,” says Urban Development Authority Executive Director Alex Morrison. “With the Urban Development Authority directly managing the program, we are better able to respond to the needs of our community.”

People can pay through the mobile app, with a QR code on the meter, or with credit card or coins at the meter. The app also puts a notice on your phone’s locked screen that shows you how much time you have left. A feature not yet available will be paying for a spot in the deck at 440 Mulberry Street.

The new website (www.parkmacon.com) is also more user friendly and easier to access the different functions, whether it’s requesting a permit or paying a ticket. Through the website, people and companies can also apply for a residential permit, construction and film permits, and commercial loading zone permits. (Details for each of those permits can be found at www.parkmacon.com.)

“People have become accustomed to the old app, and we want to help make this a smooth transition to a better system,” adds Morrison. “We have significant and very visible signage on the meters, and we are offering a grace period from citations to help people learn the system.”

Each meter is marked with the ParkMobile logo, a QR code to help them pay, and what zone the person has parked in. There is a different zone for each block, and a person can park in that zone for up to three consecutive hours. As part of the transition, staff will not be issuing citations until Friday, June 23; instead, they will be walking Downtown to let people know of the change, answer questions, help guide people through the process.

“We’re working to enhance our Downtown business environment by promoting efficient parking turnover during peak hours, all while meeting the needs of residents, employees and contractors,” adds Morrison. “This update is being made after talking with everyone the past five years on how it could be improved.”

The cost to park on the street is $1.25 per hour with a single ParkMobile fee of 35 cents, and you can only park for up to consecutive three hours at a time. It costs $6 per day to park in the public deck at 440 Mulberry Street. The Urban Development Authority is working with Municipal Court to collect outstanding fines on tickets from people that have accumulated large amounts.

Revenue from the meters has been used to improve the deck at 440 Mulberry Street and the Tubman African American Museum parking lot and to paint curbs. As more funds become available, funds will be used to improve sidewalk accessibility throughout Downtown.