SAN ANTONIO – Pearl officials were hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer by temporarily bringing back free parking but it appears the public isn’t so thankful.
Officials with the Historic Pearl shared an Instagram post over the weekend stating that 3-hour parking would be free on Monday through Thursday from Dec. 12-29 for all surface lots.
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This might sound like a great deal to some but remember — free parking was always available at the Pearl until last month when the free lots changed to paid parking.
Many commenters on the Pearl’s post said they no longer visit the area due to the paid parking issue and others said they went from visiting every weekend to once a month.
“Take something away from the locals then act like it’s a special to have it again for a few hours? Cool...,” another said.
One responder said she went to the Pearl farmer’s market a few Sundays ago and noticed attendance was really low.
“It is usually packed! I think the paid parking is really going to hurt the vendors,” she said.
“The fact that they’re giving us some free parking hours shows their paid parking initiative isn’t working,” one person said.
Paid parking was introduced to help “continue making Pearl a sought-after destination in San Antonio and beyond,” the Pearl website states.
“Your parking dollars go into new cultural projects everyday: a plaza, and more — all aimed at making this place the warmest Texas welcome and a reflection of the San Antonians who call it home,” according to the Pearl website.
Parking at the Pearl is always free for the first 30 minutes in all the lots for people who are just picking up food or grabbing a coffee.
The Koehler Garage, Newell Lot and River West Lot offer free parking for two hours — so this announcement basically added an additional hour of free parking to those lots. Payment is required after the allotted time is up.