Paid parking downtown delayed until June 25

The city won’t charge for parking along its popular downtown strip Atlantic Avenue beginning Monday, as it initially planned.

Instead, it will roll out its parking changes June 25, after the city’s marketing arm has a chance to advertise the sweeping changes.

The city will place signage explaining the parking changes and check that the parking meters are accurately programmed. After the meter activation June 25, there will be a 30-day grace period in which violators will only get a warning.

During the warning period, city personnel will educate patrons by handing out parking brochures.

Since Atlantic Avenue established itself as a local destination, parking along the thoroughfare has been free.

But a parking plan the city commission passed Tuesday gives the authority to charge for spots along Atlantic Avenue, side streets a block north and south and parking garages.

Delray has already placed smart meters along Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue east to Fifth Avenue, as well as side streets one block north and south of Atlantic. The meters are covered in plastic with signs reading “paid parking coming soon.”

It’ll cost $2 an hour between noon and 2 a.m. every day. Patrons will be able to park on the side-street spots for a maximum of three hours.

The parking garages currently charge a $5 flat fee Thursday-Saturday between 4 p.m. and midnight. They’ll now charge $5 Monday-Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight, leaving only Sundays free in the evening.

Within 90 days of rolling out paid parking, the city will create a discount or annual permit for residents who own homes with homestead exemptions.