From free to fee: a change in Old Towne Orange parking

Photo by Samatha Rosinski, Staff Photographer

On Feb. 25, the Orange City Council voted 4-2 to implement paid parking meters in portions of Old Towne Orange to help regulate traffic and parking turnover and to ease visitor frustration.

“(The merchants) asked us to implement a policy that would create more turnover,” said City of Orange Mayor Dan Slater. “And so a study was done, and they came back to (the city council) with this plan, which I think makes a lot of sense.”

In November 2024, 50.43% of Orange voters turned down Measure Z, which would have increased the city’s sales tax by 0.5%, causing many to question the council’s sudden eagerness to charge for parking.

“We’re not just running around looking for any place that we can increase revenue,” Slater told The Panther. “The more the merchants thrive, the more it helps the city.”

Amid its multi-million dollar budget crisis, Orange has found other ways to cut its budget, including placing a hiring freeze on city employees.

“We’re down 60 employees, which closed the gap (by) six or $7 million,” Slater said. “But is the city suffering because we’re down 60 employees? Yes.”

However, he ensured the council’s decision was made with the merchants in mind, not city tax revenue.

“I think it’s long overdue,” Slater told The Panther. “The merchants have been asking for it for years and years, but it’s controversial because no one wants to have to pay for something that they didn’t have to previously.”

Many business owners have been looking forward to the change, including Jack Carlisle, owner of The Potting Shed.

Photo by Samatha Rosinski, Staff Photographer

“I’ve been aware of the need for parking regulations in Old Towne for all 12 of my business years,” said Carlisle. “My former location was four blocks west of the Plaza, and we felt the parking challenges down there as well.”

It has become increasingly challenging for shoppers and diners alike to find adequate parking in the early afternoon and evening, as those parked in convenient locations stay there most of the day.

“The turnover will increase foot traffic and instill confidence in people who will think, ‘Oh, I can go downtown, and I’ll be able to find parking,” said Carlisle.

On the other hand, businesses such as the partners at AO Architecture are against the change.

“It will create deterrence for visitors who will now have to pay for parking on top of already expensive meals and services,” said AO Architecture partner Scott Jones at a city council meeting on Feb. 11. “Visitors who are forced to pay may think twice about stopping for coffee in the morning, grabbing food to go or shopping in Old Towne.”

Further, Jones is not entirely convinced it was an objective decision. 

“While the city might see short-term gains from parking revenue, they will come at a steep cost of loyal customers, reduce business activity and ultimately declining tax revenues from the very businesses the ordinance claims to support,” Jones said.

Monday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., it will cost $2 per hour to park in the inner portion of the Plaza, $1.50 on city streets and $1.25 in city parking lots.

Parking will be paid for on metered stations or mobile apps and monitored by license plate readers and parking enforcement officers. 

The parking garage two blocks west of the Plaza will remain free as it is governed by the transit authority, not the city.

“It's good for people to know not to get discouraged but to look for those (free) options,” Carlisle said.

In total, it will cost Orange $700,000 to install parking meters and digital signs displaying spot vacancies and is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue.

The project is expected to be completed in fall 2025.