Yakima Are You Ready for Paid Parking Downtown?

Lots of people still talking about paid parking that's coming to downtown Yakima.
If you park in downtown Yakima beginning in April of next year you'll be paying a parking fee. Paid parking is on its way to downtown Yakima after the Yakima City Council members voted in October in favor of the idea. Paid parking is expected to start in downtown in April of 2023. So far there's no indication the city council will reverse its ruling made in October as the city continues to prepare for paid parking.

What will the city do with the money collected?

The money from the paid parking lots downtown will help support infrastructure downtown because many areas need work.
The money will fund the upkeep of parking lots sidewalks and other infrastructure in the downtown area. Paid parking in downtown lots and on streets downtown will be from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday with free parking on Sundays. The cost is $1 per hour.

The city manager says the city didn't have a choice but to approve paid parking

Yakima City Manager Bob Harrison says the city had no other option after a tax proposal to raise needed funds failed in 2020.
Harrison says paid parking will be required in all the city lots downtown including on street parking. So far the city says there will be no parking meters but rather kiosks and a mobile app.

You'll be able to park free at Yakima City Hall

City officials say there will be no charge for parking in the lot behind Yakima City Hall because the parking lot is for employees and customers at city hall. Currently parking is free for 2 hours in the city owned downtown parking lots.
Kiosks and a mobile app will be available for people who pay for parking in the downtown lots.