To make it easier for community members to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Evanston City Council on Monday approved changes to parking for the holiday season, Nov. 16-Jan. 3. Changes include enacting 15-minute free parking zones outside of designated businesses and extending maximum time limits for on-street and surface lot parking. In addition, local businesses will distribute vouchers providing 2 hours of free parking again this year.
Parking Vouchers
The City will provide local businesses with 2-hour free parking vouchers to distribute to customers. Each voucher card contains a unique code which customers can enter into the ParkEvanston app to receive a credit for two hours of free parking. Vouchers do not have to be used on the day of receipt, but must be redeemed by January 3.
Smart phone users can download and register the ParkEvanston app from the App Store or Google Play. Users can also manage their sessions at ParkEvanston.org.
“15-Minute Free Parking” Zones
Additional “Keep Calm” signs will be placed outside of designated businesses, which will allow customers to park for free with their hazard lights on for 15 minutes for pick up orders. Parking enforcement will resume after 15 minutes.
Extended Time Limits
Maximum parking limits for on-street and surface lot parking will be paused during the holiday season. Customers may continue parking past the posted maximum parking limit as long as payment is continued.
Free Sunday Parking
Parking will remain free on Sundays on the street and in surface lots and for the first hour in all City parking garages.
For more information about how to support local businesses during this time, residents can visit the “How You Can Help” section of the cityofevanston.org/covid19 webpage.