Free Timed Parking To Begin May 1 In Downtown Williston

Beginning Friday, May 1, 2015, the City of Williston will implement free timed parking in designated spaces. The majority of on-street parking will be limited to 90 minutes or three hours while selected spaces in public parking lots will be restricted to three hours. The new guidelines are part of the Williston Downtown Plan that seeks to revitalize the City's core business and shopping district.

"It's a different system of parking to encourage people who work Downtown to park a little further away to make it more accessible for customers," said Williston Senior Planner Rachel Ressler. "A lot of people don't know how much space we have in our parking lots."

The executive director of the Williston Downtowners Association anticipates timed parking will bring positive results.

"We are trying to make Downtown more attractive to shoppers and visitors," said Karissa Kjos.

The Williston Police Department will oversee enforcement of the new daytime guidelines. A parking enforcement officer will be on duty Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. Ressler said the goal is to make the transition to timed parking as smooth as possible.

"There will be a two-week grace period for people to get used to the on-street parking rules," she said. "From May 4 through May 15 the WPD will issue courtesy tickets that waive the $20 fee."

The same grace period, however, will not be offered in public parking lots. Ticketed vehicles will be liable for a $20 fine beginning Monday, May 4, 2015. The fines collected by the WPD will help defray the costs of enforcing the program and maintaining downtown public parking lots.

The City is leading efforts to notify property owners, employees and the general public about the new rules. In addition, new parking signs will be going up. For more information contact the Williston Planning and Zoning Department at 701-572-8104 or Williston Downtowners Association at 701-580-9343.

Downtown Parking Study

List of Recommendations to be Implemented

1. 90 minute timed parking on Main St from Front St to 6th St, and on cross streets from Main to 1st Ave E and W from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.

2. 90 minute timed parking on Broadway from 1st Ave W to 3 Ave E from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.

3. 3 hour timed parking on 1st Ave E and 1st Ave W from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.

4. Eight 3 hour timed spaces in the parking lot behind American State Bank, the parking lot behind the Downtown Plaza, and the parking lot next to Select Ford from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.

5. The removal of any signs designating reserved parking in downtown public lots, and the voiding of any informal agreements that do not include signage.

6. Enforcement of overnight parking bans within the downtown public lots.

7. Courtesy enforcement with no tickets until Monday, May 18 for on-street timed parking.