Copyright M Live Michigan
JACKSON, MI – The city of Jackson is increasing downtown parking fines and permit fees to help maintain meterless parking. During its Tuesday, Oct. 28 meeting, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved the changes, and voted 6-1 to approve the $238,375 assessment roll for downtown properties and businesses. Together, this will maintain free, two-hour parking for downtown visitors. This reflects the recommendation from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in June, which suggested higher fines, permits and a one-time business fee to address infrastructure funding needs. Daily permits for downtown parking will remain at $10. However, monthly permits will increase from $30-$65 to $38-81, and annual passes will rise from $342-741 to $433-923, depending on the lot. Parking Lot 9a will remain free for downtown business employees, according to the memo to city council. Bulk purchases of the annual permits will be discounted 20% for 20-100 permits, 25% for 101-150 permits and 30% for over 150 permits. Parking fines will also increase. Overtime parking and no-permit violations will rise from $7 (if paid before midnight on the day of issue) and $15 (if paid after midnight) to $28 and $35, respectively. The fine for going unpaid after seven days will increase from $30 to $50. Other violations, such as parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, having an expired permit or obstructing traffic, will increase from $17-$68 to $35-$100, depending on how long the payment is delayed. The fine for parking illegally in a handicap-accessible spot will rise from $45-$180 to $90-$200. The new regulations will take effect Dec. 1, according to the memo to city council. Parking enforcement hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day, excluding Sunday and city holidays. In the same meeting, the city council approved the $238,375 assessment roll for downtown properties and businesses. The proposed assessment mirrors last year’s assessment, which raised roughly $147,000, and is coupled with a one-time $700 fee for downtown properties and businesses. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, assessments will be levied on 108 parcels, ranging from $1,550 to $10,900. During the public hearing, some business owners spoke against the assessment, including Patrick Colligan, owner of The Foundry, 216 Martin Luther King Jr Drive. Colligan said his assessment was too high at $5,800 compared to most businesses that are only paying $1,550, noting he only operates on the weekends. “I hear a lot of people talking about how fair and equitable and balanced this amount is, but it’s nothing of the sort,” Colligan said. Ward 3 Councilmember Angelita V. Gunn voted against the assessment, citing concerns raised by business owners. Ward 5 Councilmember Christy May Davis also expressed concerns about enforcing unpaid parking tickets to reduce the burden on downtown business owners, and Ward 2 Councilmember Freddie Dancy suggested immobilizing vehicles. City Attorney Matthew Hagerty said the city code already allows for this. However, City Engineer Troy White said immobilizing vehicles hasn’t been enforced in years because of concerns about the downtown’s reputation. “It was about as popular as meters for parking,” White said. Hagerty said he and the engineering department are working to authorize district court action against individuals who accumulate six or more unpaid parking tickets. The Jackson City Council voted in March to move away from meterless parking with a pay-to-park system. Concerns from downtown business owners and residents prompted the city to rescind that decision.
