The city of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board is offering a new program that provides free parking and complimentary valet when visiting participating restaurants in downtown Orlando.
Developed as a strategic initiative of the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area Plan (DTOutlook), the new program went into effect on Monday, May 15, and is the city’s attempt at giving greater access to amenities for visitors to downtown.
The new program provides visitors with up to two hours of parking on any on-street metered and non-metered spaces in downtown by using the ParkMobile code: ParkDTO. The code may be used a maximum of four times per account. Promotion codes are valid 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For visitors who want to take advantage of the new free parking, the city recommends downloading the ParkMobile app.
The parking program also includes complimentary valet for customers at participating restaurants between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. In downtown Orlando, parking meters operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. After 6 p.m. every day, and all day on Sunday, parking meters are free.
According to city officials, the DTOutlook plan recognizes retention of small businesses as a “crucial component for ensuring the success of redevelopment within the Downtown Development Area.”
Downtown Orlando continues to see multiple closures of businesses that have been in the area for years. That includes establishments like Harry Buffalo, Latitudes, Finnhenry’s, Lizzy McCormack’s, Walgreens, Mad Cow Theatre, and Barbarella, which all closed their doors in the past 18 months after multi-year runs in the area.
At the same time, over a dozen businesses have celebrated grand openings in downtown Orlando since the beginning of last year, including Proper, Pups Pub, Stemma Craft Coffee, Parlay, Bellhop, Solita, Tacos My Guey, High Tide, High-T, and Fixtion, among others.
For a list of the restaurants participating in the parking program, or for more information, visit the Park DTO website.