BRADENTON BEACH – After-hours and weekend parking is now allowed at the Bradenton Beach Post Office.
After-hours parking is allowed from 4:30 p.m. until 8 a.m. on weekdays and around the clock on weekends.
Non-post office parking is not allowed during regular post office hours.
Rules and limitations apply, so those who use the parking lot for non-post office-related activities are cautioned to pay close attention to the new signs that detail the allowed parking hours and locations.
Three parking spaces are reserved for the post office at all times. Those spaces are marked with new green and white signs. Non-post office-related parking is never allowed in those three spaces.
In early October, with the support of the city commission, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) entered into a joint parking lot use agreement with the United States Postal Service for the post office property at 116 Bridge St. The post office property is owned by the Miami Beach-based Fryd Family Partnership.
The previously agreed to after-hours parking allowances did not take effect until the new signs were erected last week.
Prior to the parking agreement taking effect, after-hours and weekend parking was not allowed. This resulted in many vehicles being towed, much to the chagrin of their owners.
The parking agreement requires the CRA to repair and maintain the parking lot and the CRA is responsible for any damages.
The parking agreement also requires the Bradenton Beach Police Department to police the parking lot and enforce the new parking allowances.
According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, after-hours parking is not intended for employee parking or overnight vacation rental guests. The parking agreement is subject to a trial period and can be terminated if after-hours parking proves problematic.
