Drivers parking in downtown Fort Pierce will now need to keep an eye on the clock.Beginning Monday, the city started enforcing new two-hour parking limits in parts of downtown. Drivers who stay longer than the posted limit could receive a $50 citation.City officials say the new enforcement is designed to increase parking turnover, improve traffic flow and make it easier for visitors to find available parking spaces.Not everyone supports the change.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsSome visitors said a two-hour limit may be too short, suggesting a three- or four-hour limit would better accommodate people spending time downtown.Andrew Joyner, who works at Pickled Restaurant and Bar, said the new rules could impact customers who want to enjoy a meal, shop or spend an afternoon downtown without worrying about returning to their vehicles before time expires.“They come out to enjoy their time, and they lose track of time,” Joyner said. “Now they come back to their car and they’ve got a ticket or violation.”Others believe the changes are a reasonable step as Fort Pierce continues to grow.Julio Garcia, owner of Downtown Sports Nutrition, said increased parking management may be necessary as both the city and St. Lucie County continue to see growth.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.“We’re growing as a city,” Garcia said. “I think they’re just getting ahead of what’s to come.”The posted two-hour parking limits are enforced Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.City officials said they have also created a public parking map identifying locations where visitors can park for longer periods if they plan to spend more time downtown.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. —
Drivers parking in downtown Fort Pierce will now need to keep an eye on the clock.
Beginning Monday, the city started enforcing new two-hour parking limits in parts of downtown. Drivers who stay longer than the posted limit could receive a $50 citation.
City officials say the new enforcement is designed to increase parking turnover, improve traffic flow and make it easier for visitors to find available parking spaces.
Not everyone supports the change.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
Some visitors said a two-hour limit may be too short, suggesting a three- or four-hour limit would better accommodate people spending time downtown.
Andrew Joyner, who works at Pickled Restaurant and Bar, said the new rules could impact customers who want to enjoy a meal, shop or spend an afternoon downtown without worrying about returning to their vehicles before time expires.
Hearst OwnedWPBF 25 News
Beginning Monday, the city of Fort Pierce started enforcing new two-hour parking limits in parts of downtown. Drivers who stay longer than the posted limit could receive a $50 citation.
“They come out to enjoy their time, and they lose track of time,” Joyner said. “Now they come back to their car and they’ve got a ticket or violation.”
Others believe the changes are a reasonable step as Fort Pierce continues to grow.
Julio Garcia, owner of Downtown Sports Nutrition, said increased parking management may be necessary as both the city and St. Lucie County continue to see growth.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
“We’re growing as a city,” Garcia said. “I think they’re just getting ahead of what’s to come.”
The posted two-hour parking limits are enforced Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
City officials said they have also created a public parking map identifying locations where visitors can park for longer periods if they plan to spend more time downtown.