Category: Uncategorized

(07-27-16) Roughly 75 members of the Ward One Residents Association (WORA) turned out last Tuesday for a conversation with SP+, the city’s comprehensive parking management firm.  This was the second meeting SP+ has scheduled with WORA since March when the company began operations in Annapolis.  The purpose of the meeting was to outline several new initiatives designed to improve the parking experience in Annapolis.  Jon Kemp, SP+ regional manager, and Jason Prola, SP+ senior manager for Annapolis, led the discussion.  Tara Hargadon, chief of staff to Mayor Pantelides, and Alderman Joe Budge also participated.  Highlights of the discussion included:

Improved residential enforcement:  To reduce illegal parking on residential streets, SP+ has begun using license plate recognition technology, or LPR, to identify on-street parking violations.  By installing LPR technology on enforcement vehicles, enforcement officers can scan license plates to identify vehicles parked illegally faster and more accurately than before.

Residential parking permit update:  SP+ thanked residents for participating in the first ever online residential parking permit program and said that all residential permits were to be mailed no later than July 20^th.   Jon and Jason also stated that SP+ is making software enhancements that will improve the user experience next year.

New parking violation fine schedule:  To help reduce illegal parking on residential streets, the City of Annapolis enacted a new parking violation fine schedule in July.  Initial violations will be fined $40.00 and subsequent violations will be fined on an escalating scale. (Full schedule linked here.)  To smooth the transition, the city has delayed the escalation schedule until Tuesday, September 6, meaning parking violations until then will be fined $40.00.  In the interim, SP+ is educating parkers by issuing warnings for initial offenses and will soon provide a helpful postcard outlining ways to avoid getting a ticket.

 Helping local businesses with parking changes:  Mayor Pantelides, the City Council and SP+ appreciate that many employees of businesses park on residential streets.  To ease the transition, the Mayor directed SP+ to work with local businesses to identify alternative parking options for employees.  SP+ is offering discounted parking validations in the Knighton and Gotts garages for employees who park after 3 p.m. and exit between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.  To secure validations, businesses must contact SP+ at annapolisparking@spplus.com or (443) 648-3087.  Validations will only be distributed to owners of Annapolis businesses or their designees. To learn about parking options prior to 3 p.m., businesses should contact SP+ directly.

Staying up to date on parking improvements:  SP+ encouraged the audience to stay informed on parking improvements by either signing up for the e-newsletter at www.AnnapolisParking.com, following on Facebook or Twitter, or contacting SP+ at annapolisparking@spplus.com or
(443) 648-3087.

Annapolis, MD (7-5-16) Mayor Michael Pantelides announces that SP+, the city’s comprehensive parking firm, will begin more efficient parking enforcement on residential streets beginning on Monday, July 11, 2016.

SP+ will be utilizing new License Plate Recognition technology, which will be mounted on two enforcement vehicles and will allow for a more accurate reading of license plates on vehicles that have been parked illegally in a residential district. By mounting the technology on vehicles, enforcement officers can cover routes faster and more efficiently than they previously have on foot.

Residents have requested that the city impose stiffer penalties for individuals who park beyond permitted time limits in residential parking districts.  In the past the fine was $35.00 for each violation, but City Council adopted a new fine schedule and SP+ will be enforcing the schedule:

• Fine for initial offense: $40.00 (Two times the daily maximum garage fee)
• Second violation in a one year period: $70.00
• Third violation in a one year period: $105.00
• Fourth violation (or greater) in a one year period: $140.00

Mayor Pantelides asked SP+ to work with local business owners to ensure that employees have options for affordable parking and don’t rely on residential parking as an option.  SP+ is revitalizing a program that allows employees of local businesses to park at specific garages for $2 a day between certain hours.  SP+ is meeting with local business owners to tailor the program to best fit the needs of their employees.

For first time ever, residents can bypass lines and secure permit online

Annapolis, MD (6-06-16) Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides today announced a big improvement to the residential parking permit process. For the first time, Annapolis residents can purchase annual parking permits online at www.AnnapolisParking.com, effective immediately.

“I am committed to finding simple parking solutions for our residents,” Mayor Pantelides said. “With today’s announcement, there is no longer a need to stand in line – just go online.”

Residents who are unable or unwilling to secure a permit online may still do so in-person at the Noah Hillman Garage, located at 150 Gorman Street, in Annapolis. Informational postcards were mailed to all residents with existing permits earlier this month notifying them of their expanded options.

“Mayor Pantelides directed us to give residents convenient choices in all phases of parking,” said Chris Sherman, senior vice president at SP Plus. “Now a resident can secure a parking permit with just a few clicks of a button. Equally important, residents who wish to secure a permit in person are welcome to do so at the Hillman Garage.”

There are no changes to permit prices and all major credit cards are accepted. Proof of residency is required. For complete details and to purchase a permit for the zoned district residents reside, visit http://www.annapolisparking.com/residential-parking/residential-parking-permit-program

Residents with questions are encouraged to call SP Plus at 410.263.4218 for additional information.

Mayor Michael J. Pantelides

Public Information Office
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Media contact: Rhonda Wardlaw
Office (410) 263-1183
Cell (410) 562-8970
E-mail: rwardlaw@annapolis.gov

City Introduces Parkmobile App and “Pay by License Plate” Pay Stations

Annapolis, MD – (5-11-16) Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides announces 21st century upgrades that will make the downtown parking experience more efficient. Beginning Wednesday, May 11, customers will have more choices on how to pay for parking in downtown Annapolis.

Parkmobile, a popular mobile phone app, will allow real time parking transactions via credit card or Pay Pal. Another option is paying by using your license plate number at one of the twelve new multi-space parking pay stations with cutting-edge technology. Both the Parkmobile and the pay-by-license plate options will be available at any of the 238 parking spaces at the City Dock parking lot, Dock Street, Fawcett Lot and Compromise Street Lot by the end of the week. More Parkmobile and pay station locations around the city will be added in the near future. Parkmoblie, when fully implemented, will work at any city meter or pay station location.

The new pay-by-license plate pay stations will make downtown parking easier by eliminating the need for customers to walk back to their vehicle to display a receipt on their dashboard. The customer simply puts in their license plate information into the new “T2 Luke II” multi-space pay stations as they pay for parking. That’s it. No need to return to your vehicle. The upgrade will also eliminate the single space meters from the City Dock bulkhead, making downtown sidewalks more pedestrian friendly.

“These are just a few of many new initiatives the city will be announcing over the next few months,” Mayor Michael Pantelides said. “Our goal is for Annapolis visitors to spend less time in parking lots and more time enjoying our great city.”

SP Plus Municipal Services, the city’s parking management company, will deploy parking ambassadors downtown beginning May 11 to assist customers using the new system. The company is also installing new signage to direct people to the multi-space meters.

“Mayor Pantelides and the City Council directed us to make parking easier for all, and ‘pay-by-plate’ pay stations are an important step in that direction,” said Chris Sherman, senior vice president at SP Plus. “We encourage customers to remember their plate number as they exit their vehicle to ensure they have the smoothest parking experience possible. If they prefer to pay by phone, they should download the Parkmobile app via their app store and establish their account.”

Mayor Pantelides suggests that you take a picture of your license plate on your phone and have it available as you begin exploring the new options offered in Annapolis. There are no changes to parking rates or duration of stay limits in a parking space.

SP+ provides professional parking, ground transportation, facility maintenance, security, and event logistics services to property owners and managers in all markets of the real estate industry. The Company has approximately 22,000 employees and operates approximately 3,900 parking facilities with 2 million parking spaces in hundreds of cities across North America, including parking-related and shuttle bus operations serving more than 65 airports. USA Parking System, a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the premier valet operators in the nation. The company manages more four and five diamond luxury properties, including hotels and resorts, than anyone else. The Company’s ground transportation division transports approximately 40.2 million passengers each year; its facility maintenance division operates in dozens of U.S. cities; and it provides security services in several states. The Company also provides a wide range of event logistics services. For more information, visit www.spplus.com.

SP Plus Corporation (SP+), (Nasdaq:SP), a leader in parking management, ground transportation and ancillary services, announced that SP+ Municipal Services has been awarded a long-term contract to manage a new comprehensive parking program for the City of Annapolis, MD. The program encompasses management of approximately 2,000 off-street and on-street parking spaces as well as the provision of shuttle bus, marketing and reservation/on-demand services.

“We’re pleased to partner with the City to help the residents and visitors of Annapolis with their transportation needs–from parking options to shuttle services and beyond,” stated Thomas L. Hagerman, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer for SP+.

Among other things, SP+ will oversee system improvements that include installation of state-of-the-art license plate recognition technology and parking analysis systems. Additional multi-space parking meters also will be installed.

“The new program ultimately will provide the general public with greater accessibility to a wider range of parking and transportation services,” added Roamy Valera, Senior Vice President and Director of Municipal and Institutional Services at SP+. “We’re working hard to make sure that all program services are convenient and easy to use for everybody.”

SP+ has already assumed management for the on-street meter maintenance, citation processing and parking enforcement. The Company will begin managing the off-street garage operations on April 1, 2016.

SP+ provides professional parking, ground transportation, facility maintenance, security, and event logistics services to property owners and managers in all markets of the real estate industry. The Company has approximately 22,000 employees and operates approximately 3,900 parking facilities with 2 million parking spaces in hundreds of cities across North America, including parking-related and shuttle bus operations serving more than 65 airports. USA Parking System, a wholly owned subsidiary, is one of the premier valet operators in the nation. The company manages more four and five diamond luxury properties, including hotels and resorts, than anyone else. The Company’s ground transportation division transports approximately 40.2 million passengers each year; its facility maintenance division operates in dozens of U.S. cities; and it provides security services in several states. The Company also provides a wide range of event logistics services. For more information, visit www.spplus.com.