*Downtown Kalamazoo parking flips on April 1, sending small business owners into a new reality where customers must pay to park where they shop and eat.*

The city rolled out new meter kiosks Wednesday morning, but for The Grazing Table and other downtown businesses, the change comes with a heavy price tag.

"As a small business owner, I can attest that it is already really hard for us. We've seen the worst fourth quarter we've ever saw last year. We've seen the worst first quarter this year, as a small business owner, that we've ever seen," said Joey Gamrat, co-owner of The Grazing Table. "It does put a damper on things. It makes it tougher for small businesses like us to bring people downtown, and bring about a vibrancy downtown."

The city's parking consultant explained the logic behind the shift.

"We're rebalancing where paid parking is, versus where free parking is. We put the paid parking where the demand is the highest, so we can get the turnover there," said Rob Bacigalupi, City of Kalamazoo parking consultant. "Healthy downtowns depend on parking turnover. When spaces on the busiest blocks are occupied all day, fewer customers can access those businesses."

What Changed On April 1

Starting April 1, downtown Kalamazoo parking underwent a major reorganization:

  • 12 downtown blocks transitioned to paid parking where curbside demand is highest
  • 11 previously paid blocks converted to free parking
  • Base Rate Zone: $1.50 per hour on surrounding streets with moderate demand (down from $1.75)
  • Premium Rate Zone: $2 per hour in core downtown area where parking demand is highest
  • Meter enforcement now begins at 10 a.m. to align with peak downtown activity

The Epic Center and Kalamazoo Mall ramps still offer 90 minutes of free parking, and the city has a grace period in place where drivers who haven't paid may receive a notice instead of a ticket.

Business Owners Voice Concerns

Gamrat worries about the bottom line after a difficult period for his business.

"I understand the city's idea with trying to turn over spaces faster to provide more open spaces," Gamrat said. "But it makes it tougher for small businesses like us to bring people downtown, and bring about a vibrancy downtown."

Another downtown worker, Kirsten Herpst, expressed frustration with the new rules.

"Right now, I avoid it. It's too much of a hassle. There's no parking. It's confusing," Herpst said. "I've come downtown and I've just driven in circles, you know, for hours, trying to find a spot. Wondering, can I park here?"

The City's Rationale

The parking changes follow recommendations from the City's Parking+ Downtown Parking Management Blueprint, first published in 2019 and updated in 2023. The goal is to make it easier for visitors to find parking near their destination while maintaining free options throughout downtown.

The city installed new parking meter kiosks that accept coins, credit cards, debit cards, and the ParkMobile app. The kiosks are located throughout downtown, with new signage and payment stations in place.

What's Coming Next

As part of broader parking system improvements, the city plans additional updates later this year:

  • Additional accessible (ADA) parking spaces will be added throughout downtown after curb improvements are completed
  • Updated ramps and curb cuts will be installed
  • The 53 existing loading zones will be converted to 15-minute spaces to accommodate both loading activity and short-term parking
  • Additional loading spaces will be added to support quick trips for deliveries, shopping, and takeout

How To Park

A map detailing the new paid parking layout is available at parkkalamazoo.org. Visitors can pay for parking using the new kiosks or the ParkMobile app.

The city said it will continue to monitor the changes and make adjustments as needed to balance business needs with visitor convenience.

Sources:

  • Fox 17 News Kalamazoo: https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/downtown-kalamazoo-parking-changes-shift-paid-spots-to-high-demand-areas-frustrating-locals
  • WWMT News Channel 3: https://wwmt.com/news/local/paid-parking-updates-in-downtown-kalamazoo-officially-take-effect-kiosk-blueprint-mall-epic-center-parkmobile
  • WKZO Everything Kalamazoo: https://wkzo.com/2026/04/01/910408/
  • NowKalamazoo: https://nowkalamazoo.org/newsletters/daily/4-2-26-parking-different/