A gift from the city: free parking

Salt Lake City is keeping one of its most beloved holiday traditions alive.

For the next six weeks, roughly 2,100 parking meters around downtown will be wrapped in yellow, adorned with red bows — indicating free parking. City leaders hope the gesture will encourage people from around the state to visit the capital's heart and pump some much-needed dollars into local businesses.

City leaders hope the gesture will encourage people from around the state to visit the capital's heart and pump some much-needed dollars into local businesses.

"I love downtown," said Gentry Blackburn, who owns a Broadway boutique called the Frosty Darling. "I wouldn't have a business any other place."

Blackburn and Mayor Ralph Becker encouraged residents to shop at local stores.

"It's a lot more fun than the big-box stores," Blackburn said. "We're working so hard to spice up the city, and we need some support."

Salt Lake City began bagging meters for the holidays in 2004. City officials estimate the tradition costs the city about $225,000 each year between lost meter fees and parking tickets. Some ticketing, however, will still apply this season. A two-hour time limit will be enforced.

Downtown Alliance director Jason Mathis thanked city leaders for continuing with the tradition, despite facing a leaner budget. Mathis said free parking would be a gift to store owners, including the 29 shops that have opened downtown this year, as visitors flock to downtown for holiday shopping and activities.

"There is truly no place like downtown for the holidays," he said.

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com