Government

Michigan town's parking program brings in $105K so far in 2026

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October 29, 2026

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St. Joseph, Michigan's downtown paid parking program generated about $105,000 in revenue and incurred roughly $44,000 in expenses in 2026, city commissioners were told, according to a Moody on the Market report.

Development Director Kelly Ewalt said the program helped ease congestion and improve parking availability after the city reduced paid spaces from about 800 to 175 following its troubled 2025 debut.

Expenses included about $27,000 for new signs reflecting revised parking rules. Officials added taller signs to help drivers locate payment kiosks obscured by parked vehicles and expanded signage to clarify the system. The city sold 428 season passes and registered approximately 5,400 people for free parking.

The system has generated $177,704 after expenses over two years, compared with an estimated $422,000 launch cost. Ewalt projected another two or three seasons before it breaks even. Once infrastructure costs are recovered, 80% of revenue will support downtown improvements and 20% will go to the general fund.