MCKINNEY, Texas — Downtown McKinney has for some time tried to shed its label as a place where parking is hard to find. Over the last couple of years, the city has built parking garages and paved public parking lots.
Now it's opened the door to a pilot program that could pay even more dividends to drivers looking for a spot.
Starting June 7 and lasting for the next 12 weeks, McKinney will offer valet services downtown on the Square on Fridays and Saturdays for $5.
"This is a service that our businesses have wanted. We just have not been able to accommodate it," said Amy Rosenthal of McKinney Main Street and Performing Arts Center.
Rosenthal says because the project is being supported by the Audi of McKinney dealership any family driving an Audi can valet for free.
"We're gonna turn these 11 spaces into like a hundred spaces," Rosenthal said, pointing to the eleven parking spaces out in front of the old McKinney courthouse. Rosenthal said each parking space generates about $43,000 a year.
Dorie Helsley has had her woman's clothing shop, Cotton Hearts, for 25 years. She said the one consistent complaint over those years has been the lack of parking. Helsley is excited about the opportunity a valet service will provide in giving people accessibility to the Square.
"You've got mom and dad and maybe a stroller and shopping bags and you're trying to juggle all of that and it's hot," said Rosenthal.