Share and Follow
After extensive deliberations and a legal challenge that was ultimately dismissed, the implementation of paid parking in Downtown Fernandina Beach is set to commence on February 16.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The longstanding era of free parking in Downtown Fernandina Beach’s historic area is coming to an end as paid parking starts on Monday, following a period marked by controversy and legal disputes.
The subject has been contentious among locals, prompting a lawsuit aimed at halting the initiative, which did not succeed. Despite this, some community members and tourists express dissatisfaction with the new parking fees.
“Today we enjoyed the last of the free parking, which was a pleasant surprise,” remarked Alexa DeBoer, a visitor to Fernandina Beach.
The city commissioners gave the green light to the ordinance on January 6, highlighting that the revenue generated will be directed towards enhancing downtown infrastructure, including projects like sidewalk refurbishments, seawall maintenance, and other vital improvements.
“Personally, I think that there needs to be better resources, maybe like a reduced fee for people who wanna explore out here, but they can’t really do that cause, you know, limited income nowadays is very hard,” DeBoer said.
The paid parking area includes spaces from Alachua Street to Ash Street and between Front and Eighth streets.
Some residents say they plan to avoid the fees altogether.
“No, I’ll just park somewhere else or we’ll Uber,” Tracie, another Fernandina Beach visitor, said.
Paid parking will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Residents of Fernandina Beach can register on the city’s website to receive two free parking passes per household. Nonresidents can purchase an annual pass for $124.
Without a permit, parking will cost $2 per hour, plus fees. There is a 20-minute grace period to accommodate quick stops downtown.
Drivers with a disabled placard or disabled veteran license plate can park for free without a permit.
“I don’t think that anyone should have to pay for parking. If you take the dollar amount that they are going to have to pay to park away, then all of these companies are gonna lose money because now people have to pay for parking,” Tracie said.
The paid parking measure is expected to go before voters in a referendum in August. However, a four-to-one or unanimous vote by city commissioners could override the referendum.
The parking enforcement company, One Parking, will host several additional open houses throughout the week to help people register for their parking passes in person:
- Monday, Feb. 16; 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 17; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 18; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 19; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 20; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
All registration events will be held at City Hall, located on Ash Street. City residents are asked to bring their license and registration with them.