With one of the city's biggest annual events underway at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, real-time parking information and a pre-pay option for parking have been added to the center's website for all five lots and garages controlled by the convention center.
The site, www.columbusconventions.com, is accessible on desktop or mobile devices.
Those trying to park for the Arnold Sports Festival this weekend can pre-pay for a parking space for the posted special-event rate — $15 for surface lots, $20 for garages — plus a $2 "convenience fee." This doesn't reserve a specific space but guarantees that a space will be available, said convention center spokeswoman Jennifer Davis.
The Arnold, which runs through this weekend and brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to town, is one of the events most likely to cause full parking lots. On Friday, several of the parking options were showing as full, while others showed between one and 20 spaces available.
The added parking information also could aid visitors to the Short North district to the north of the convention center, where street parking is notoriously scarce. As part of the convention center's $140 million renovation and expansion completed last year, convention center leaders wanted to make the facility an amenity for local residents in addition to visitors.
Some other places in the area also offer parking information and payment online or via mobile apps.
The Arena District, majority owned by Nationwide Realty Investors, offers pre-paid parking at arenadistrictparking.com for such things as Columbus Blue Jackets games and the upcoming NCAA basketball Women's Final Four. Ohio State University's parking operation uses the ParkMobile app, which allows users to pay for surface parking and extend their metered time if needed via the app.
Easton Town Center has signs beside its parking lots and garages displaying the number of spots available in each. Easton spokeswoman Rochelle Young said the center "is constantly working toward future innovations to enhance the visitor experience" and might add additional parking amenities down the road.
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