The Oxford Board of Aldermen declined to change game day parking rates on the Square at its Sept. 1 meeting, as proposed by downtown business owners. Mayor Robyn Tannehill raised concerns that businesses would be negatively impacted if parking prices were to increase. Tannehill suggested that game day parking issues be addressed using an alternate approach.
This was the board’s second time hearing the proposed game day parking ordinance, with the first being at its Aug. 18 meeting.
During the 2026 fiscal year, the city of Oxford’s parking meters brought in $1.1 million. Of this revenue, roughly $900,000 is allocated to an annual debt payment on the downtown parking garage, and the remaining funds are placed in a separate account dedicated to parking maintenance.
Downtown parking is a notable concern among Oxford residents and business owners, particularly on game days. Local business owners have expressed frustration over residents who leave their vehicles parked on the Square for extended periods of time on game days for the low price, resulting in fewer premium parking spaces for restaurant and boutique patrons.
Mark Levy, the city director of special services, proposed the ordinance in August to increase the standard $1.25 hourly parking rate on game days to $5 per hour for the first three hours a vehicle is parked, followed by a rate of $15 per hour for each subsequent hour.
Tannehill explained how game day parking around the Square can negatively affect local businesses. She said the goal is not to upcharge shoppers or restaurant customers, but rather to address people who leave their vehicles parked around the Square and then walk to the Grove during game days.
“I have seen all of Facebook (people saying) it is a money grab by the city and all these things. … This is a proposal that was brought to us by downtown business owners who are rightfully frustrated by the fact that people use our downtown parking as game day parking,” Tannehill said.
Increasing parking prices on the Square, Tannehill said, is not her preferred solution.
“This proposal I understand from a downtown merchant’s perspective. I think that it’s got to be so frustrating to see these cars parked at your front door for the entire day,” Tannehill said. “I don’t, however, think that these increased parking rates change that. I believe that the people that … utilize (these spots) all day long for game day would pay 10 times what they are paying now.”
Tannehill expressed concerns for people who are dining on game days. She said that three hours might not be enough time to eat with the extended wait times that restaurants typically experience during football weekends.
Mark Huelse, alderman from Ward II, proposed a $2.50 hourly rate for the first four hours, followed by a $20 rate for each subsequent hour. The motion was not seconded.
Oxford’s new pay-by-plate parking system on the Square relies on mobile payments via the Passport Parking app. The app would need to be reprogrammed to enforce the three-hour parking limit on game days, which is not currently enforced. Because the system cannot currently do so, the board opted to reject the three-hour game day parking limit.
As the city continues to navigate the challenges of game day parking, Tannehill emphasized that the issue will require continued management rather than a single solution.
“There are problems to be managed, and there are problems to be solved, and game day parking in the downtown area is not a problem that can just be solved,” Tannehill said.
The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
