Hot Springs' Simplified Parking Program Boosts Revenue by 62%

The city's first full month of a streamlined paid parking system generated the highest monthly earnings in over a year.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:05am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a set of modern parking meters and a parking validation ticket on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, symbolizing the efficiency and revenue generation of Hot Springs' updated parking system.Streamlining Hot Springs' downtown parking program has led to a significant increase in revenue, providing the city with more resources to maintain and expand its public parking infrastructure.Hot Springs Today

Hot Springs, Arkansas saw a 62% increase in year-over-year parking revenue during the first full month of its simplified managed parking program. The $102,895 collected in March surpassed the previous high of $78,763 set last July, with the most lucrative single day bringing in $6,263. City officials credit the flat-rate fee structure and elimination of a free employee permit program for the boost in earnings.

Why it matters

Hot Springs has been working to optimize its downtown parking system to generate enough revenue to cover the costs of maintaining existing parking assets and potentially finance a new parking structure. The successful initial results of the streamlined program suggest the city is on the right track to achieving a self-sustaining parking system.

The details

The new managed parking program, which went into effect in February, reduced the total number of regulated spaces from over 1,000 to around 550 centered on the busiest areas of downtown. It implemented a flat $4 per hour rate on Central Avenue, up from a tiered structure, and raised the hourly rate to $2 in other areas. The city also discontinued a free parking permit program for downtown employees, opening up high-demand spaces for visitors and paying customers.

  • The new managed parking program went live in February 2026.
  • March 2026 was the first full calendar month the new program was in effect.
  • March 14, 2026 was the single highest revenue day, generating $6,263.

The players

Bill Burrough

City Manager of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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What they’re saying

“So far the data shows a more focused paid parking program generates higher total revenues and better efficiency than the previous model.”

— Bill Burrough, City Manager

What’s next

The city plans to use the increased parking revenue to help finance the construction of a new 300-space parking structure in downtown Hot Springs.

The takeaway

Hot Springs' streamlining of its downtown parking system, including standardized rates and the elimination of a free employee permit program, has paid off with a significant boost in revenue that can help the city achieve its goal of a self-sustaining parking system.