ST. CHARLES — Parking in St. Charles’ historic downtown may now be easier thanks to a new app released by the city.
The new “Park STC” mobile app shows the availability of 1,500 free public parking spaces in a 30-block area of downtown St. Charles. The mobile app went live about two weeks ago, and has already been downloaded by more than 640 cellphone users.
St. Charles City Communications Manager Josh Hall said he anticipates more people will download the app over the next several days as the historic business district welcomes thousands of people for the two-day Riverfest celebration on July 4 and July 5.
“I think the app is going to take out the stress level of finding parking downtown. Not only does it show the parking along Main Street, but also in these parking lots off of Riverside and other side streets that people may not know are available for public parking,” Hall said. “It is going to really help build the public’s knowledge of parking opportunities in downtown St. Charles.”
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The app, which was developed as part of the county’s infrastructure plan, cost about $800,000 to develop. The majority of the funds came from a federal grant, while St. Charles City and St. Charles County both committed about $100,000 — or roughly 20% of the total cost — to the development of the mobile phone app that is available for both iPhone and Android phone users.
Hall said each of the parking spaces shown in the app has a sensor installed in the pavement or underneath the cobblestone brick. The sensor will change colors on the app if it detects a vehicle is parked over it. Updates are made in real-time, Hall said.
Hall said the mobile app is also going to be a boon for downtown businesses.
“I think that’s the app’s biggest win — it is going to help keep people in St. Charles,” Hall said. “In the past, people would come downtown, not quickly find parking, and then would give up. Not anymore. I think this is going to really help keep people downtown.”