A proposed ordinance aimed at improving conditions and controlling rates at downtown parking garages has garnered strong support from Memphis City Council members. The proposal identifies 18 parking garages within a designated area stretching from A.W. Willis Ave. to G.E. Patterson Ave. and seeks to make downtown parking more accessible and affordable, ultimately encouraging people to visit and support local businesses.
“It’s going to get people going downtown, parking in garages, then going out and supporting businesses and generating sales tax,” said Councilman Philip Spinosa. “When they go downtown, it will be something they can see and feel in their wallet.”
The ordinance passed with a favorable recommendation during a meeting of the Memphis City Council’s Public Works, Solid Waste and General Services Committee Tuesday, April 22. Every member present during the discussion was added as a cosponsor.
Many downtown parking facilities currently charge more than $30 an hour after 6 p.m. Some even charge the event rate, despite being 15 blocks away from event venues like the FedExForum. Most of the facilities also require an app and a cumbersome credit card payment process.
“Memphis is not a $35 parking city. It’s kind of the Wild Wild West right now with parking. You don’t know the amount. The parking lots are confusing. How you pay is confusing,” said Charlie Vergos, a former council member and owner of The Rendezvous restaurant.
Vergos also highlighted issues with pop-up scams that target visitors to downtown.
“We have issues constantly where street people are hanging out there, and they say, ‘It will be $20.’ They’ll give them $20 in cash, and the person will run off. Then they’ll get a ticket for parking,” Vergos said.
A more flexible rate system is being considered. For example, instead of a flat $30 rate, prices could be set at $16.50 during business hours. Garages closer to event venues would be allowed to charge a higher rate.
The draft ordinance also includes improvements to facilities, including cleanliness standards, such as required pressure washing once per quarter and trash receptacles spaced every 60 feet. Improved lighting would also increase safety, as many garages are dimly lit and lack security.
“I know a business downtown that pays close to $250,000 a year on valet services, and there’s a parking garage on the same block. And nobody wants to park in it,” Spinosa said. “If you have five cars that pay $60, congratulations. We’d rather have 100 cars that pay $5 and people spending money downtown.”
A lack of bathrooms in public spaces downtown is another issue. To alleviate the problem, an amendment requiring bathroom facilities in garages was proposed. Currently, people often use discrete corners to relieve themselves, and some do so in plain sight, causing an odor that doesn’t stay hidden for long. Members of the committee embraced the suggestion.
“Right now, that is a major problem downtown around our public buildings, particularly around our convention center,” said Councilman Jeff Warren. “It is not a good look.”
City Code Enforcement would be responsible for levying fines against garages not in compliance.
The proposal is expected to be brought up at the next council meeting on May 5. Discussions with various legal departments will take place in the interim. The ordinance will need to navigate between the interests of private businesses and several city-owned parking garages, with the city covering any costs for the latter.
New Memphis Animal Services leadership
Members of the Personnel and Government Affairs Committee also approved the appointments of Barbara Britton, Tori Eads, Fabiola Frances and Elizabeth Smith to the seven-member Memphis Animal Shelter Advisory Board.
The new appointments come as the agency faces increased scrutiny after outbreaks of disease and leadership failures. The shelter reopened April 12 after an outbreak of canine distemper virus. In March, 104 dogs were euthanized following the outbreak, and just under 100 strays were put to sleep in January.
Mary Clare Borys was appointed interim MAS director by the council in July 2024. The previous director, Ty Coleman, was put on leave in June 2024 and fired in December after a six-month suspension, following the death of a dog from heat-related illness.
