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Neptune Beach City Council approves initial phase to new parking program at beaches

Neptune Beach City Council voted in favor for the city manager to start the first phase of the proposed parking program that would change parking regulations at Neptune and Atlantic Beaches for visitors, residents, and area businesses.

This vote did not approve the program itself, but the initiative to begin work on the program.

“They’re voting tonight on making the funds available to go ahead and purchase both the software and the hardware and also moving forward with hiring a parking manager,” Beaches Towner Center President Jay Handline said.

The program is called the Mobility Management Program in Central Business District, which has a goal of “providing parking opportunities and encouraging efficient space turnover,” according to public documents.

One point of the program would be to add a new kiosk system that would require payment for parking spaces that are currently free throughout the Beach Town Center area.

It includes 12 kiosks that would regulate 228 spots spread out across seven streets. The estimated cost for the kiosks is about $93,000.

The public documents state the rate would be determined by the parking manager, which the city voted on Monday evening.

It also includes some free parking around Baptist Church and 15-minute parking in front of City Hall. Residents in the area could buy a permit, but the options would be limited.

The Beach Town Center Agency said this program has been in production for the last six years with a goal of finding a parking management solution.

This latest approval by the city is only one step in the right direction for the parking demand in the area.

“We have to put a comprehensive plan into place so we can speak to that need today, as well as what are we going to do to fix the continued stress as we move into the future,” Handline said.

He said the agency has been working in conjunction with Neptune and Atlantic city governments, as well as merchants, property owners and contracted engineers to create this program.

He argued this is not a paid parking program but a parking solution that he believes will benefit everyone.

“Keep in mind this is a comprehensive parking and mobility services management program,” Handline said. “It’s not a solution. We will be working on this. It will be fluid. We will continue to make adjustments. We will continue to improve upon it. As developments continue, our efforts will continue.”

Neptune Beach City Councilman Richard Arthur said the kiosks will be used as a utility system to regulate the parking arrangements at the Beach Town Center.

The predicted revenues from the system would give the city  more than $119,000 in profit the first year, and would more than double that the second year.