Program Offers Free Parking at Meters and City Lots Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to Midnight to Boost Local Businesses
West Hollywood, in partnership with the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC), will roll out the WeHappy Wednesdays free parking initiative throughout April 2025. The program aims to bolster local venues and businesses while encouraging community engagement by easing access for residents and visitors to shop, dine, and enjoy the city’s offerings.
Every Wednesday in April from 4 p.m. to midnight, parking will be free at all city meters, surface lots, and parking structures. By removing parking costs during these hours, the initiative seeks to eliminate a frequent hurdle to visiting local establishments, inviting people to revisit familiar haunts or try new ones, all while providing tangible support to the business community.
This Hump Day perk is a targeted effort to increase foot traffic and visibility for West Hollywood’s venues and shops. Many businesses continue to grapple with economic recovery post-pandemic, compounded by the effects of recent wildfires and shifting consumer patterns. Waiving parking fees one evening each week this spring aims to make outings more accessible, while also strengthening community ties and collective investment in the city’s prosperity.
So….the city council has effectively destroyed West Hollywood with their wild and crazy policies, driving businesses out, having staple businesses shut down, leaving gaping holes where businesses were “supposed” to be built, tearing down landmarks to make room for new businesses we don’t need, making rent and living expenses unbearable, and having wages so high businesses can’t cover them…and rather than fix all that their solution is a flyer and free parking in the middle of the week for one month. Who the hell keeps electing these idiots.
This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.
No one will change their plans because of a free parking meter. The city probably spent more money marketing this stupid campaign than it will generate.
Well, any little perk from the City of West Hollywood is a nice rarity for residents and guests. Hopefully it will last longer than just 5x in April. It helps to make up for the one complimentary dismissal of a parking citation that the city afforded residents in prior years, but apparently it was quietly discontinued. (Were they not taking in enough money from its parking enforcement department?)
Enjoy free parking for a leisurely stroll along Santa Monica Blvd, where you can take in the many empty storefronts while navigating the ever-present challenges posed by the city’s growing population of unhoused individuals struggling with addiction and mental illness. Truly a visionary plan!
Would be nice if they did something about the dozens of homeless people terrorizing residents in West Hollywood. I’m tired of being threated and harassed every time I go outside. Particulary the guy that harasses people at the corner of Santa Monica and Westbourne Drive (outside US Bank).
Studies show that free meter parking doesn’t necessarily boost business, and in some cases, can even harm it by leading to employee parking issues and reduced turnover of parking spaces……..FYI.