A special Thursday meeting by the St. Joseph City Commission is set to get underway in minutes. As we’ve reported, due to ongoing concern and consternation from citizens and downtown business owners, councilmembers have floated ideas for how to change the parking parameters.

Outlined in the agenda, here’s a summary of changes proposed by the Parking Subgroup:

“Based on data and continued feedback from the residents of the City of St. Joseph and the downtown businesses, the Parking Subgroup recommends making parking in the downtown free to residents of the City of St. Joseph in all city-owned parking lots. Residents will have access to over 400 free off-street parking spaces on the west side of downtown, in addition to the free spaces on the east side. On-street parking west of Main St., the highest demand parking, will remain paid parking for all users, including residents.”

The City Commission will have to approve a motion to direct the City Manager, in collaboration with the Parking Subgroup, to develop and administer guidelines, applications and processes to provide free off-street/lot parking to all City of St. Joseph residents, effective immediately.

Stay tuned for updates in how the city commission reacts to the proposals from the Parking Subgroup.