(Plain Press September 2024) The Cleveland Public Market Corporation, which now runs the West Side Market, is implementing new parking procedures. When entering the West Side Market parking lot, there is no longer a gate. A scanner scans license places and notes the time of entry. This prevents traffic bottlenecks at the entrance.

   When entering the lot, shoppers see a sign that says: “Pay Here”. The sign has a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) symbol to scan. There is also an option to text to a phone number on the sign, if you have a phone where scanning a URL is not an option.

   A West Side Market shopper expressed concern that there is no sign to let shoppers know that the first 60 minutes of parking are free during hours the West Side Market is open.

   Patrick J. Evans, Director of Marketing for the Cleveland Public Market Corporation says that once shoppers scan the URL, they will be given an option that says, “60 minutes free.” He also noted that the Cleveland Public Market Corporation is looking into permanent signage that will go at both entrances to the West Side Market parking lot. While he is not sure what will be on the new signs, the signs may be able to alert shoppers to the free minutes.

   Evans says shoppers are encouraged to scan the URL when arriving at the West Side Market parking lot and indicate how long they plan to park there and provide information when prompted. According to the website, the customer will be alerted when they are close to the 60 minutes of free time. If customers forget to scan the URL, Evans says that some merchants also have signs that serve as a reminder to scan the URL into their phones.

   For those that use the texting option, Evans says that a port will prompt them to enter their license plate number and allow them to input their credit or debit card number into a secure system.

   The parking lot only accepts payment by credit or debit card.

   Evans says that shoppers that don’t have a phone, or don’t have a credit or debit card can come to the Cleveland Public Market Corporation office on Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to make alternative arrangements. The office is in the West Side Market on the South side of the balcony.

   The other alternative is to make sure you are in and out of the market in less than 60 minutes. Then you are not required to pay or to do any scanning or texting.

   Evans says most shoppers are in and out of the market in less than an hour.

   When the City of Cleveland renovated the parking lot, it was agreed that West Side Market shoppers would have 90 minutes free. Evans says the 60-minute time was chosen to help raise revenue to enable the West Side Market to someday operate without a subsidy from the City of Cleveland. He said the revenue will also help to keep rents low for West Side Market merchants. Evans says the majority of those that go over the 60 free minutes are in the 60-minutes to two-hour range. The cost of parking at the West Side Market is $1.50 per hour plus tax. The daily maximum is $12.