Downtown Kalamazoo visitors are seeing a new approach to parking as the city rolls out updated parking technology and policies aimed at improving access while supporting local businesses. During the latest episode of Kalamazoo & You, Communications Manager Michael Smith spoke with Rob Bacigalupi, Principal Parking Consultant for Mission North, LLC, about the city's new parking system and why officials believe it makes downtown easier to navigate. Bacigalupi said the city replaced its aging mechanical parking meters with new digital kiosks this spring, allowing staff to make adjustments more quickly based on parking demand and public feedback. "One of the benefits of the newer technology" is that it allows the city to "quickly make some changes" while also providing data to help guide future parking decisions. He noted that despite a common perception, downtown offers numerous parking options, including paid and free on-street spaces, private lots and the city's two parking garages, which provide free 90-minute parking near the Kalamazoo Mall and Michigan Avenue. Following community feedback after the April rollout, the city introduced several changes, including free 15-minute parking sessions, reduced evening enforcement and extending many 90-minute parking areas to three hours. "The goal of parking is to support economic development and also livability," Bacigalupi said. "Those are the two stated goals in the twenty nineteen parking study." The updated kiosks allow drivers to pay using a license plate number with either coins or a credit card, while smartphone users can also pay through the ParkMobile app or by scanning a QR code. Officials emphasized that coin payment remains available for residents who prefer a more traditional option. City officials encourage residents and visitors to explore available parking options using the Park Kalamazoo website and its interactive parking map.