With the Fall grand opening of the Hollywood Theaters complex at College Station, the City of Springfield will implement the parking rates for the College Station and Heer’s Car Parks.

Instead of setting the parking rate structure immediately upon completion of the facilities, the City has offered free parking at the Car Parks since each of them opened in order to let downtown patrons and employees get familiar with using the facilities.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 3, users of the Car Parks will notice that the gates will be in operation and tickets will be dispensed periodically for operational testing for equipment and customer service. Even when tickets are dispensed, there will be NO charge for parking during this testing period.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 31, the new parking rates will take effect. Parking will remain free at all times except on the weekends until further notice.

A flat $5 parking rate will apply from 5 p.m. Fridays to 2 a.m. Sundays at the College Station Car Park. The same flat $5 fee will apply from 5:30 p.m. Fridays to 2 a.m. Sundays at the Heer’s Car Park. The fee will be effective 30 minutes later at the Heer’s Car Park to encourage the downtown daytime employees to use that facility so more spaces are available at the College Station Car Park for early evening movie patrons.

Theater patrons will receive free parking validation after Hollywood Theaters opens this fall.