MAYOR DAVID BRILEY’S STATEMENT REGARDING
PARKING MODERNIZATION
The intent to award notice for parking modernization is great news for Nashville. We set out
more than a year ago to pursue a parking modernization contract that would be a win for our city
and set an example for the country. These high expectations have resulted in a proposal that, we
believe, sets a new standard for how cities can partner with the private sector to improve urban
mobility, support local businesses, and adopt smart-city strategies that will better prepare us for
the future.
Under the proposed agreement, Metro will receive an up-front payment of $34 million and a
revenue share over time that is expected to exceed $300 million for Metro over the term of
the contract, significantly increasing the amount of funding available for street and parking
related improvements – investments in safety that can make real progress toward achieving the
goals of Vision Zero, corridor improvements that can help prepare us for future transit or bike
lanes, and other infrastructure needs.
Better yet, a new, state-of-the-art system will be deployed by the vendor with no capital
expenditures from Metro, and, importantly, the Traffic and Parking Commission will retain
control over all policy matters related to rates, enforcement, and potential expansion of the
system.
As a takeaway and based on the proposal made public today, the highlights are as follows:


Metro will receive an up-front payment of $34 million and a revenue share over time
that is expected to exceed $300 million for Metro over the term of the contract.



The proposed agreement is not a "sale" of the parking system, but instead a true
operating partnership with the vendor. Metro retains full policy control over the
system and earns a greater return on a better-managed asset.



Metro’s on-street parking inventory includes about 2,000 predominantly coin-operated
metered spaces today located downtown and in Midtown; new spaces added under the
proposed agreement will need to be approved by the Traffic and Parking
Commission with input from residents and businesses.



With this modernization, customers will be able to use technology (e.g., an app) to find
open spaces and pay their meters and potentially add time without returning to their
cars. This will cut down on the environmental and congestion costs of people circling
to find spots and make it easier for users to comply with Metro’s policies and avoid
violations.



Unlike parking concessions in some other cities, there will be no sudden and dramatic
increase in rates in Nashville. The Traffic and Parking Commission approved a modest
$0.25 increase (adjusted only for inflation over time) as part of the proposal, to go into
effect after the system is upgraded. Other proposed changes include fines set at $25 and
meters operating Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

For residents of neighborhoods who have or will adopt residential permitting, the vendor
will be instructed to assist with enforcement to protect neighborhoods now suffering
from parkers taking their spaces without a permit.



The improved system will be very efficient, replacing one that currently includes multiple
handoffs among Metro offices and staff – including manual processing of tickets – and
lacking real-time reporting and data analytics.



The proposed agreement will result in no anticipated layoffs of Metro employees, and
we will operate far more efficiently moving forward.
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