The plan to implement paid parking in downtown St. Joseph could be brought back to city commissioners in the coming weeks.

At this past week’s regular commission meeting, Assistant City Manager Emily Hackworth updated commissioners on the latest developments as she’s met with downtown business owners to determine whether a model proposed in June would allow for enough free spaces for those who work downtown. She told us those meetings have been extensive, and a recommendation for the city commission is coming.

“I think that we’ll bring some recommended changes to what was originally proposed, and then we’ll bring the revised ordinance language to get the ordinance change adopted and get this in place for May of 2025,” Hackworth said.

Commissioners instructed Hackworth to work on the paid parking issue when she was brought on as assistant city manager.

Under the proposal laid out in June, parking west of Main Street would no longer be free between May 1 and September 30. Parking east of Main Street would remain free.

Hackworth said a proposal will have to come back to city commissioners fairly soon if paid parking is going to be put in place for next summer.