St Augustine Channel 1

Abbott Tract and Uptown Neighborhoods parking will be prohibited for weekend event.

It is not uncommon for the nearly 1,200 spaces at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility to fill up on busy weekends, especially this time of year and especially during big annual events like this weekend’s Rhythm & Ribs Festival.

To help those looking for a place to park after the parking facility has reached capacity, the city will this weekend, for the first time, make use of variable message boards to alert drivers that the facility is no longer available and to direct them to areas where parking may be available. Then as parking becomes available in the parking facility because of turnover (i.e. cars leaving), the signs will reflect that availability.

The variable message boards will be strategically located along Ponce de Leon Blvd. and San Marco Ave. to alert drivers if the parking facility is full and of the opportunity afforded by alternative locations in private parking areas along San Marco Ave.

Those who park along San Marco Ave. will not have to walk to Francis Field, site of Rhythm & Ribs Festival, but rather will have access to a free shuttle provided by Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine.

Additionally, to lessen the impact on neighborhoods in the vicinity, event parking will be prohibited in both the Abbott Tract and Uptown Neighborhoods. Streets in the affected area will be signed to alert festival goers of the restrictions.
The use of bicycles is encouraged when possible to lessen the amount of vehicular traffic. Both drivers and cyclists are asked to exercise caution when traveling in congested areas.

The message boards and restricted parking in the neighborhoods will be in effect on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 4, 5 and 6.

Source: City of St. Augustine