The City of New Orleans has announced a new initiative led by the Office of Nighttime Economy (ONE) to create an Affordable Parking Program aimed at supporting workers in the service, hospitality and cultural sectors. This program seeks to address a longstanding challenge for employees working in restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues in the French Quarter and downtown areas by offering affordable and safe parking options.
The program will increase the availability of low-cost parking spaces in downtown New Orleans, providing an online inventory of available spots and an easy-to-use application process. This initiative is designed to reduce the cost of commuting for nighttime industry workers and improve their overall quality of life, while also contributing to the strength of the local economy.
The Affordable Parking Program is modeled after a similar initiative in Austin, Texas, which has successfully provided affordable parking options for service workers. In New Orleans, parking operators in the Central Business District, French Quarter, Tremé, and Marigny neighborhoods are encouraged to participate by offering discounted rates and setting aside dedicated spaces for hospitality workers.
How the Program Works:
- Parking Providers: Parking operators are asked to assess their available inventory and provide an estimated number of spaces that can be offered at discounted rates. They will also be responsible for facilitating the application process through a webpage managed by ONE.
- Workers: Employees will need to verify their employment with a registered hospitality or cultural business to qualify for the discounts.
- Next Steps: ONE will continue discussions with parking operators to develop an interactive map and inventory of affordable parking spaces for workers.
“Our office recognizes the difficulty in finding safe and affordable parking downtown for nighttime industry workers,” said ONE Director Mike Ince. “Parking and transportation as a whole are monumental barriers that our nighttime service industry workforce faces every day. From accepting a parking ticket so you can be on time for your shift or walking from surrounding neighborhoods at night, we understand the ongoing issues a person may face when simply trying to get to and from work. Business owners and workers alike have stressed the importance of finding affordable and safe solutions to downtown parking and we look forward to working with all stakeholders in developing a long-term solution.”
The Office of Nighttime Economy is seeking input from hospitality workers, business owners, human resource managers, and parking providers to shape the program. Surveys and further details can be found at nola.gov/night/parking.
This initiative aims to provide much-needed support to the city’s workforce and improve accessibility for those who contribute to New Orleans’ vibrant culture and economy.
