Redwood City Downtown Meter Zone
Over the past five years Redwood City has taken an aggressive approach to satisfying its downtown parking demand. To manage the area’s existing parking options – including on-street meters and multiple public and private garages – Redwood City developed a parking management district: the Downtown Meter Zone Program. The program altered rates and time limits for metered parking in downtown to stimulate more patron turnover, generate more revenue from the existing supply, and ensure efficient use of parking spaces. This program coincided with the development of a major retail/cinema center in the area for which the Redwood City Redevelopment Agency financed a 590-space underground garage. Downtown Redwood City demonstrates that a coordinated policy that uses both on-street and garage spaces and that builds off existing assets can be an effective strategy.