COVINGTON, KY – On Tuesday evening, the City of Covington continued its efforts to address the parking shortage in MainStrasse Village through the implementation of valet parking services and free lunchtime parking.
Approved by the Board of Commissioners, the City entered into an annual agreement with Tri-State Parking to utilize four public parking spaces for valet services. The spaces are located on E. Sixth Street outside of the restaurant Lisse (see map below). Customers are able to use the services regardless of the restaurant or business they are visiting.
Development Director /City Engineer Mike Yeager stated, “The valet services will serve as a great asset in reducing the number of cars parked in the area. With all of the great amenities in the Mainstrasse area, the demand for parking has greatly increased. By working with Tri-State to park 70 plus vehicles a night on a private lot, we are able to free up additional public parking that would have otherwise not been available.”
The City has reached out to various MainStrasse restaurants to gather input regarding the valet services. Overall, the responses have been positive and restaurant owners believe the services will provide accessible parking alternatives for customers.
Visitors that opt to use the valet services will have their car parked at the Gallenstein private lot. Valet services cost $5. The four metered spaces on Sixth Street will remain open for public use Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will convert into valet parking spaces at 5 p.m.
Free Lunchtime Parking in MainStrasse Lot
Additional improvements include free lunchtime parking in the MainStrasse lot located on W. Fifth Street. Approved by the Board of Commissioners, the lot will require payment Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., but will be free to visitors outside of this timeframe.
As a result, lunch patrons are able to park for free in the MainStrasse lot prior to 2 p.m. and for free all day Sunday.
Yeager explained, “A change was made on September 27 to make the lot a pay lot 24/7. We’ve received feedback from the community and this has not worked as anticipated. The current change will essentially put the lot back to the original parking plan in addition to offering the free lunch period.”
The MainStrasse lot costs $2 Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. On-street kiosks and traditional meters cost $0.35 per half hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Soon to come, during the months of November and December, the 15 minute free option featured on MainStrasse meters will increase to one hour free parking to accommodate holiday shopping hours for on street parking.