A valet parking service intended to make finding a space easier — but at a cost — during high-volume traffic nights in downtown Riverside will get underway Friday.
The Downtown Valet Program is set to run between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday and return on the same hours Saturday and Sunday, following which the service will be available every weekend during that time frame under a pilot project established last year by the Riverside City Council, in partnership with San Diego-based Ace Parking.
No municipal budget allocations were required for the new program, which will continue until the end of June. The council will review how it’s functioning over the next six months and determine at the end of that period whether it should remain in place or be abandoned.
“This `white glove’ valet service will make it easier for patrons of restaurants, entertainment venues and downtown businesses to enjoy all that Downtown Riverside has to offer,” according to a city statement. “While the program is a pilot, and the city remains conservative in its projections, the focus is on building long-term value, not just in revenue but also in visitor satisfaction, business support and downtown vitality.”
Uniformed attendants will be based at various clearly designated locations for vehicle drop-offs, and vehicles will be placed at any of several secure locations within the immediate area, according to officials.
The cost per vehicle is $20 most of the time — excluding tips — though rates will jump to $30 per vehicle during special events.
Monthly parking plans are also available under bulk pricing generally geared to businesses.
It’s not uncommon for parking garages to fill up on weekends, and evening street parking can pose challenges, especially in and around University Avenue.
Additional information is available at riversideca.gov/publicworks/parking/riverside-valet-parking.