SAN ANTONIO - A new survey conducted by the city reveals that the city should have more than ample parking, and that parking may soon be easier to find.Downtown
by Victoria Arredondo / Jessica Warner/ Reporter-Taylor Whartnaby/Photographer Paul SanchezSAN ANTONIO - A new survey conducted by the city reveals that the city should have more than ample parking, and that parking may soon be easier to find.
Downtown San Antonio has ample parking even during some of its busiest events, according to a new study that also calls for updated technology and clearer wayfinding to help drivers find available spaces. Centro San Antonio, working with the City of San Antonio’s Center City Development & Operations Department, has completed the Downtown Parking Study, a comprehensive evaluation of parking conditions and future mobility needs in the urban core. Conducted by Walker Consultants and finalized in January 2026, it is the first full assessment of downtown parking since 2016. The study arrives as downtown prepares for major development, including the proposed Sports and Entertainment District and a new downtown home for the San Antonio Missions. Researchers focused on ensuring a high-quality parking experience as downtown grows, improving customer experience through modern technology, and developing a curb management strategy as curb space faces increasing competition from deliveries, rideshare services, transit, valet operations and other uses. One of the key findings: the study did not identify a systemwide parking shortage downtown. During Fiesta 2025, peak parking occupancy reached 53% during Saturday night observations, leaving nearly half of downtown parking available during one of the busiest times of the week. “We know there are big things that are coming. Baseball renderings were just revealed yesterday. We have an arena coming back to downtown. If we don't get parking right right now and get ahead of the curve, we're in for a big headache in the future,” DeBerry said. Centro San Antonio is waiting on the city to complete its request for qualifications process for a technology vendor to upgrade parking technology for garages and on-street parking, DeBerry said. “We're waiting on the city right now to complete their RFQ process for a technology vendor to really upgrade the technology and parking garages along the street,” she said. DeBerry said drivers could start seeing a working downtown parking platform or app within roughly the next six months, which she hopes will reduce confusion and anxiety about visiting downtown. The study found that perception is a primary challenge, with many residents and visitors believing parking is limited despite available capacity across downtown facilities. The report also notes that city-owned garages remain more affordable than comparable private facilities and offer incentives such as Downtown Tuesdays, which provides free parking after 5 p.m. on Tuesdays in city-operated garages. The study also identified opportunities to improve the overall parking experience, citing outdated technology and infrastructure that limit customer convenience and operational efficiency. “Downtown is on the rise, and we want people to know that parking is not a barrier for them to enjoy the urban core,” said DeBerry. “We want all of San Antonio to experience everything downtown has to offer. This study provides the data and direction needed to improve accessibility and ensure we are ready for the next chapter of downtown growth.”“Parking is complicated. There is a lot of space spaces where you can find it, but it's also very expensive a lot of times,” said Malinda Ramirez. Businesses are also taking steps to help customers find parking. Casa Rio, a longtime River Walk restaurant, is working to make its parking options easier to find online, owner Elizabeth Lyons Houston said. “We're kind of creating a new logo for our parking lot and trying to beef up our online presence so that people, when they're researching where to park, have more options available to them,” she said. Local business owners say more education is needed so visitors know where to park when they come downtown. Recommendations in the report include real-time parking technology and digital payment systems, strategies to better use existing parking through shared parking agreements, and policy tools to support long-term investment in infrastructure and operations. “The City appreciates its partnership with Centro and the ability to collaborate and study the important issue of parking downtown and is currently reviewing responses to a recently closed solicitation for new parking technology,” said Shanon Miller, chief downtown officer with the City of San Antonio. “The solicitation will consider solutions that make parking easier to find, improve the customer experience, and strengthen operations for both on-street and off-street parking. The system we select will also be able to grow and adapt as the City’s needs change.”Downtown San Antonio serves 37 million annual visitors, supports more than 75,000 jobs, and is home to approximately 28,000 residents. Centro said the study is intended to provide a data-driven roadmap to modernize mobility, enhance the visitor experience, support economic growth, and ensure future development is backed by efficient, well-managed parking and curb systems.SAN ANTONIO - This morning, closing arguments will be heard in the capital murder trial of Christopher Preciado. He is the man accused in the killing of a young couple and their unborn baby.PORT ARANSAS, Texas - A spring breaker, captured in a viral video twerking on top of a Jeep in Port Aransas, has died after he was later thrown from the vehicle in a crash.The crash happened about two weeks ago.MichaelSAN ANTONIO - A huge congratulations to the winner of the St. Jude Dream Home giveaway.Dan Perez of Poteet is the big winner of the home in Spring Branch.“At fNew state rules that eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and increase licensing fees will go into effect at the end of the month. 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