Two more public parking lots open in downtown Ocala

File photo: A parking meter is shown on the Ocala Downtown Square in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

The city of Ocala has opened up two parking lots in downtown for public use, which will be free for the entire month of October.

Parking Lot 5 is located at the northeast corner of North Magnolia Avenue and Northeast First Street. Parking Lot 9 is located at the northeast corner of West Fort King Street and Southwest First Avenue. Both lots are now open for public use and are free until fees are introduced in November.

Parking Lot 5 will remain free for use. Parking Lot Nine will cost $0.75 per hour, starting Nov. 1.

The additional lots bring 106 new spots to downtown, bringing the total number of available public parking spots in the downtown area to 1,175.

The city of Ocala owns eight surface parking lots from Northeast Fifth Street to Southeast Fifth Street.

Lot 7, at Southwest Broadway Street and Southwest First Avenue, has 36 spots.

Lot 9, at West Fort King Street and Southwest Second Avenue, has 20 spots.

The Marion Theatre Lot, at 50 S Magnolia Ave., has 10 public spots and 10 theatre spots.

Lot 5, at North Magnolia Avenue and Northeast Second Street, has 86 spots.

Lot 6, at North Magnolia Avenue and Northwest Second Street, has 96 spots.

The City Hall Lot, at Southeast Watula Avenue and East Fort King Street, has 52 spots.

The Citizen Service Center Lot, at Southeast Watula Avenue and Southeast Third Street, has 84 spots.

Lot 14, at The Mount Moriah Baptist Church, has 37 spots.

Parking Garage One, at Southeast Broadway Street and Southeast Osceola Street, has 280 public spots.

There are 474 total spots for street parking, 207 of which are non-metered and 267 are metered.

“Revenue from parking fees directly supports the maintenance and enhancement of Ocala’s parking infrastructure, ensuring the system remains safe and accessible. These funds also contribute to improvements within the downtown area,” according to the city.