Falcon Heights makes smaller-than-expected profit from on-street parking fees during State Fair

Falcon Heights officials are calling its program that charged drivers to park on some city streets during the State Fair a success even though net revenue came in far below original projections.

The city had projected to make $100,000 to $200,000 during the 12 days of the fair. Falcon Heights earned a profit of just under $49,000, according to a city analysis that will be presented at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

Citing additional wear and tear on streets and costs for extra staffing and clean up during the fair, the city instituted a $25 fee for guests to park on streets in neighborhoods close to the fairgrounds. Residents in the affected neighborhoods were given passes allowing them to continue to park for free as they do the remainder of the year.

More than 3,650 fairgoers paid online through a website, using an app or over the phone, according to the city report. That brought in just over $89,000. After paying ParkMobile, the vendor hired to run the parking program, and other expenses such as for 112 signs and ambassadors, the city realized a profit of about $49,000, the report said.

The goal behind the fee was to reduce traffic and demand for on-street parking in neighborhoods in the northeast quadrant Falcon Heights.

“Staff, police and residents reported a dramatic decrease in vehicle traffic compared to previous years,” the report said. “The program’s primary goal of reducing the demand for parking in Falcon Heights appears to have been a success.”

Between 2022 and 2024, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office issued between 250 and 325 parking citations annually in Falcon Heights during the fair. A majority of the tickets went to drivers who blocked driveways or left their cars in no parking zones.

Parking fines rose from $50 to $100 during the fair.

Assuming most citations were for unpaid parking, the tickets would represent about 12% of vehicles parked on the street within the pay zone, the report said.

“Improving compliance rates and reducing nonpayment occurrences would be a goal for future iterations of the program,” the report said.

The busiest day for parking transactions was Aug. 23 when 444 motorists paid the $25 fee. The fewest, 111, paid to park on Aug. 27, the data showed.

As for the profit, the recommendation from the City Council is to put the money in the 2026 general fund to offset a tax levy increase, the report said.