By Anne Holzman

Falcon Heights will charge $25 per day for parking on city streets in two neighborhoods close to the fairgrounds during the State Fair starting this summer.

On May 14, the city council approved a one-year contract with ParkMobile to provide app-based parking fee collection during the 12 days of the 2025 State Fair, Aug. 21 to Sept 1.

Streets in the Northome and Northeast neighborhoods will be marked into zones with temporary signs provided by ParkMobile. Visitors will register their license plates with ParkMobile via the company’s app.

The company will keep about 20% of the fees, estimated at $200,000 over the 12-day period, and pass the rest on to the city. Based on surveys, the city’s State Fair Task Force has estimated that about 1,000 parking spaces are available to fairgoers in those neighborhoods. There is no change to previously restricted areas; no new spaces have been created, but previously free parking will now have a fee in the selected areas.

The council has created a special fund for the new program. The fund will be used to hire and equip temporary employees who will flag noncompliant vehicles for enforcement while also welcoming and helping to direct visitors. The fund will cover other fair-related expenses that the city has incurred in the past, such as extra trash management and portable latrines. The city expects to transfer about $40,000 in excess revenue to other budget items such as street improvement.

The council also adopted a system for resident passes so that each household has one pass mailed to their address, with options to apply for additional passes if needed.

The arrangement will be reviewed annually, with possible adjustments to which streets are included and other considerations. 

Anne Holzman is a regular Bugle freelance writer who covers Falcon Heights and Lauderdale city news.

Photo: Falcon Heights plans to implement paid street parking on some city streets during this year’s Minnesota State Fair. Photo by Minnesota State Fair.