CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Parking Commission approved motions on Tuesday to activate the electric vehicle chargers in the city’s parking garage and add more signage downtown to clarify the new two hours of free parking.
The parking garage on South First Street, which opened almost a year ago, has drawn complaints from EV owners about its non-operational charging stations. The commission voted to activate all 16 chargers and offer free charging until Jan. 1. Drivers will still be required to pay for parking in the garage.
Since the launch of two hours of free parking through ParkMobile, there has been some confusion about downtown parking and enforcement. To address this, the commission approved new stickers that will be placed on the parking meters explaining the free parking policy and enforcement hours, which run from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free after 5 p.m., and free all day on weekends.
Could Clarksville street parking be free?
Commissioners also discussed a proposal for completely free on-street parking downtown. The idea was not on the agenda and therefore not eligible for a vote. Some members expressed concern that eliminating paid street parking altogether could reduce customer turnover and hurt local businesses. The commission plans to poll downtown businesses for feedback before considering the proposal in the future…