Downtown Park & Shop New Initiative Aims to Bring Shoppers to Downtown with Easy Parking Options
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 7, 2009, 0 Comments
Laredo, TX—July 7, 2009—Downtown Laredo is known for its local shops, great bargains, historic scenery, delicious cuisine and unique, cultural flavor. While many people have forgotten this oasis of Laredo entrepreneurial spirit and shopping mecca, the Laredo City Council hopes that the new Downtown Park & Shop initiative will bring them right back to the heart of Laredo.
Last night, by unanimous vote, the Laredo City Council voted in favor of a two-month downtown parking promotion – starting today and ending on September 30, 2009 – with the intent of enticing shoppers to shop in downtown by finding convenient, easy and, in some instances, discounted parking.
The Downtown Park & Shop will offer customers the first hour free parking at any one of the three City of Laredo parking lots: El Metro Parking Facility, located at 1301 Farragut; Riverfront Parking Lot, located at the corner of Pedregal and Santa Maria; and Zaragoza Parking Lot, located at the corner of Zaragoza and Santa Maria.
“It is important that we as City officials do all that we can to encourage shoppers to visit our local merchants in Laredo’s downtown,” said District VIII Council Member Cindy Liendo Espinoza, whose district includes the downtown area.
Additionally, customers may obtain Downtown Park & Shop Dinero – vouchers worth $1.00 each – from participating downtown merchants to pay towards the remaining balance of their parking fee, should it exceed one hour. Cost at El Metro and Zaragoza is $2.00 an hour; $1.00 an hour at Riverfront. Interested merchants can call Mari Royster at El Metro at 795-2280,x221 for more information about signing up and participating.
In order to help customers get around downtown from the parking facility to their desired downtown destination, the El Metro Hop & Shop Trolley will also be making its way past all three downtown parking lots throughout the day, dropping off and picking up customers along the newly expanded route.
On a daily basis, there are up to 500 parking spaces, in those three parking lots alone, available on a first come, first serve basis.
In order to help free up additional parking spaces at meters – which are not part of the Downtown Park & Shop promotion – all downtown employees will be offered a special parking rate at Riverfront and Zaragoza parking lots, as well, with the convenient trolley ride to help take them right to their place of employment. Downtown employees should contact Lupita Reyes at 794-1780 for more information.
The Downtown Park & Shop is only available during the regular eight-hour business day – from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at all three parking facilities. El Metro parking facility is not open on Sundays.
“By promoting and supporting our local shops and the City’s facilities, the Laredo City Council is promoting to our residents to shop Laredo first, which is an endeavor I feel will help keep Laredo’s economy strong ,” added Mayor Raul G. Salinas.
