Ogden City Communications Director Mike McBride told the Standard-Examiner in an email Friday that the familiarization campaign is set to begin this week.

“The initial parking management system will begin on May 11th with a free educational period where people will be asked to familiarize themselves with the Passport Application,” he said. “Ogden has contracted with Interstate to manage the parking system and they will have ambassadors who will take an “education first” approach to introducing people to the new system and the management software. Interstate will continue to educate and inform throughout the month and full implementation of the program, including paid zones, is expected to begin on June 15th.”

He said that drivers will begin seeing infrastructure popping up downtown in the coming weeks as well.

“The infrastructure including kiosks and signage is being installed over the next two weeks,” he said. “Folks who do not want to use the application can either use the kiosks to start their session, or they will be able to follow text to pay instructions that will be on the signage in that zone. The advantage of the application is that vehicle and payment information is stored in the app for future convenience. The app will also notify users if their time is going to expire so they can extend their stay from wherever they are with their phone, no need to go to the vehicle to reset the time.”

McBride noted that parking in the managed areas is monitored from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays and state holidays are not monitored. He also noted the prices are as follows:

• “On Street: $1.50 – $2.00 per hour
• Off Street: $1.00 – $1.50 per hour
• EV: $2.75 – $3.00
• Daily maximum: $15.00 – $18.00
• Employee permit: $10.00 per month”

McBride also laid out where managed parking will be implemented and that the majority of downtown parking remains free.

“Notably, paid parking will be on 25th between Wall and Washington, Kiesel Avenue between 24th and 22nd, 23rd between Washington and Grant,” he said. “Electric Alley is also a paid option but is largely for employees. The WonderBlock parking garage has 800 parking spaces and is steps from downtown. The municipal lot is also a paid option. Two hour parking is available all throughout downtown including Grant, Lincoln, and Wall between 24th and 26th. Washington Blvd. has 2 hour parking between 22nd and 26th. Union Station, the Junction parking garage, and all other on street parking remain free.”

He said that provisions exist for downtown employees but residential parking will not see a major change.

“Employee parking for businesses on 25th Street is $10/mo and is reserved in the 100 and 200 blocks of Electric Alley — the parking lots that are directly North of the businesses on 25th,” he said. “Resident parking will not change. They continue to operate under the parking agreements that are set with property owners.”

McBride added that the parking decision comes from years of study and reflects the needs of Ogden along with feedback gathered along the way.

“The city has engaged in numerous public engagements over the past several years, even pausing the planned rollout in 2024 due to business and employee concerns that were brought forward,” he said. “After careful consideration and planning based on these two years of stakeholder engagement, the plan is reflective of that feedback in its current form.”

The Ogden City Council officially approved the plan last week on a 5-2 vote following several residents and business owners expressing concerns about going forward.

McBride said that there is ultimately a need for the plan, which is required as part of the WonderBlock’s bonding.

“We understand that there is not full consensus from the community on the plan but do appreciate that there is understanding that managed parking is necessary to the smart growth of our downtown,” he said. “Utilization shows that Ogden is already in need of managed system at peak times and with a sharp increase in both residential and business activity coming online at the WonderBlock in the coming months, this need will only become more urgent. Ogden is taking a data-driven, phased approach to the management and smart growth of downtown. This plan is meant to ensure that visitors and patrons of our business community will have convenient options to visit their local favorite destinations.”

For more information on the parking plan and the associated app, visit https://www.ogdencity.gov/3369/Parking-Services.