Ever go to an event in downtown Columbia, and wonder when and where to park? Or if free parking is an option? Well, here’s the scoop!
There are two main types of parking areas downtown: street meters and parking garages.
Parking meters are enforced from
9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday
(times effective January 1, 2015).
Free before 9 am and after 7 pm, Monday through Saturday; on Sundays; and on observed City holidays (listed below), with the exception of reserved spots.
Meter colors and corresponding maximum parking times:
- Green – 10 hours
- Orange – 5 hours
- Purple – 4 hours
- Grey – 2 hours
- Red – 1 hour
- Yellow – 24 minutes
Hourly parking spaces in the parking garages (listed below) are enforced from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Free after 6 pm, on Saturdays, and observed City holidays.
Parking Garages
- Tenth & Cherry Street (1000 Cherry St) – It is convenient for events at Ragtag Cinema.
- Sixth & Cherry Street (555 Locust St)
- Eighth & Cherry Street (14 S 8th St) – This garage does not have a lot of public parking spaces.
- Eighth & Walnut Plaza Garage (17 N 8th St) – This garage is closest to the Boone County Courthouse.
- 5th and Walnut Street (500 E Walnut St) – This is the tallest parking structure in Columbia, across from the Post Office, and includes the Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) offices and retail spaces in the lower level.
- Short Street Garage (1110 E Walnut St) – This garage is close to the North Village Arts District (NVAD) and convenient for First Friday, Orr Street Studios, and Sager Braudis Gallery events.
Observed City holidays
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King Jr Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (observed)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Additional tips
Basically, there is no unmetered street parking around downtown. There may be free street parking in residential areas near downtown; if you consider parking in those areas, please be considerate of residents’ need to park there.
There are permit parking spaces bordering the Wabash bus station area that are restricted from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, and can be used for free at other times.
City of Columbia Parking Utility
Columbia Public Works
573-874-7250
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