Fargo to issue RFP for parking management; broader rate study to follow

City staff told the finance committee the city will commission a parking study and issue an RFP for a parking management company to evaluate operations and rate structures for ramps and on‑street parking.

Speaker 3 (Staff member) provided a brief update, citing a larger, paid parking study under way and saying the team will examine rate structures and management options. “They're actually going to put together an RFP for a management company. They're gonna look at different rate structures,” Speaker 3 said.

The staff update noted a previously deferred fee increase for some parking fees pending the study. Commissioners discussed digital parking options such as pay‑by‑phone and license‑plate entry systems used in other cities and asked staff to ensure the RFP scope covers legal constraints under state law. Speaker 3 said the planning team and Mark Williams were coordinating the RFP scope.

Commissioners and staff also discussed usage patterns in downtown surface lots and ramps and whether modest rate changes (for example, charging $5 for dinner‑hour ramp parking) could capture revenue without deterring downtown customers. No vote or policy change was taken; the RFP and comprehensive study were described as forthcoming items that will return to the commission for review.