Parking Gate Information
Pay parking gates at YWCA Downtown, Midtown and Uptown are now activated. For your convenience, there are four pay options:
- Use a credit/debit card at the exit gate
- Use a pay station with cash/credit/debit card inside any YWCA location
- Request a stored value card
- Sign up for a monthly parking card
Please see the Member Services Desk at any location to request a stored value card, to sign up for a monthly parking card or to learn more about parking options.
Parking Fees
YWCA Parking Rates
Monthly Parking Card Information
For unlimited parking while using our facilities, you can subscribe to a monthly parking card with an automatic monthly debit withdrawal. When you set it up, you’ll be charged an initial $5 + tax to start. The monthly debit at the regular rate below will begin the following month.
- First parking card on account: $15/month + tax
- Senior rate (62+) for first parking card on account: $10/month + tax
- Add additional cards for your household: $5/month + tax each
- Parking cards for scholarship members: $0/month (Initial $5 + tax charge does not apply)
- Replacement card fee: $15
To purchase a monthly parking card, visit the Member Services Desk at any YWCA location.
Stored Value Card
You may request a stored value card at the Member Services Desk. Stored value cards can be loaded with funds at pay stations inside any YWCA location and will give users an additional 10 percent discount on daily parking fees.
Early Childhood Education and Girls and Youth Program Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Parents and caregivers for Early Childhood Education or Girls and Youth programs will have a 20-minute grace period to drop off and pick up your child. If you require more time, you can pick up a validation ticket from your child’s teacher, program coordinator or counselor that will grant you an additional 20 minutes to exit the lot.
Parking FAQs
Q1: Why is there now pay parking at YWCA Midtown?
A: Due to the growing population and number of businesses surrounding YWCA Midtown, a new pay parking gate system will be installed to help relieve the congestion and current misuse of our parking lot.
When YWCA Midtown was first opened 18 years ago, the light rail station and many of the businesses surrounding the building did not exist. The neighborhood has changed significantly over the years, which has heavily impacted traffic and parking use around YWCA Midtown. With upcoming additions of new developments, the density of the area is expected to grow rapidly. We are being responsive to the changes of the neighborhood, and are implementing this parking system to cut down on misuse of the parking lot and ensure parking is available for YWCA Midtown members.
Q2: What are the changes that have happened in the area around YWCA Midtown?
The Hennepin County Building is now located across the street from us which draws a significant amount of new traffic to the area.
The Hiawatha light rail is the busiest transit station in Minneapolis with over 30,000 riders on an average weekday. The park-and-ride for the light rail at Lake Street and Hiawatha was closed in early 2015, displacing many commuters who park to ride the Blue Line.
There are two additional development phases going up on 22nd Ave. which will add an estimated 250+ housing units to our surrounding neighborhood
The New Adult Education Center will be finished on 21st Ave. soon after our gate is installed.
Q3: What other options has YWCA Minneapolis attempted before choosing a pay parking system?
A: We have made several attempts to address parking issues at YWCA Midtown over the years, without adding extra costs to members, such as implementing a hanging parking tag system for members and having staff monitor the lot. Neither of these have remedied the situation, and have led to safety concerns for our staff when they have confronted unauthorized parkers. Implementing an automatic pay parking system will reduce the staff time spent monitoring the lot and is intended to prevent misuse before it happens.
Q4: Why can’t parking fees be rolled into the monthly membership fees?
A: We want to ensure that members who use public transit, bike or walk to YWCA Midtown do not pay extra fees for parking they do not utilize.
Q5: Why can’t parking be free for members for the first 2 hours and just charge non-members?
A: As a nonprofit, we are charging members fees to help cover the cost of the installation and maintenance of the new parking system, which will make parking easier and more convenient for members. YWCA Minneapolis offers competitive monthly membership fees that are still lower than other full service fitness centers in the area, even with added parking fees.
Q6: Why was there no opportunity for community input?
A: We value member feedback and have been gathering members’ experiences and comments informally over the past several years. Based on these comments and an internal review, the management team concluded this is the best solution for this operational decision.
Q7: I did the math and it looks like this is going to add $40/month or more to my monthly fees. Is there another option?
A: Members can opt to purchase a $15/month + tax monthly parking card which will include parking for the entire month. With this monthly parking card, members will have $15 + tax automatically debited each month, and will be allowed to park for any length of time and frequency during the month, as long as members are utilizing our facilities while they park. The senior rate (62+) for this monthly parking card is $10/month + tax. The monthly parking pass for scholarship members is $0/month.
Q8: Will YWCA Midtown be installing more bike racks?
A: Yes, we are working with the City of Minneapolis to increase the number of bicycle parking racks.
Q9: When do I have to start paying for parking?
A: The gates will be active starting November 1.
Q10: Will the parking lots be open to the public?
A: No. The parking lots will remain private lots, reserved for YWCA Minneapolis members and program participants.
Q11: Will I still need a parking permit to park at YWCA Midtown?
A: No. The only people who will need a hanging parking tag will be participants of our Early Childhood Education program. Early Childhood Education parents will need tags in order to park in designated spots during specific days and times.
Q12: When can I purchase a monthly parking card?
A: Monthly parking cards will be available for purchase October 24.
Q13: Why do people who are on a scholarship receive free parking?
A: As part of YWCA Minneapolis’ mission to promote health and wellness to all people regardless of economic levels, we have chosen to continue our initiative by providing free parking cards for those individuals who have qualified for our membership scholarship program.
Q14: I have economic limitations. Can I get free parking?
A: If you believe that you may qualify for our scholarship program, you may seek out information with a Membership Advisor.
Q15: How will the pay stations work?
A: The pay stations will allow you to either pay for a daily visit or load a stored value card that will give you an additional 10 percent discount on daily parking fees. The system will be located inside each YWCA building and staff will be available to assist you if needed.
Q16: Do I have to use a credit card to pay?
A: No, cash can be used at the pay stations located inside any YWCA location. Credit and debit cards can be used at pay stations and exit gates.
Q17: What happens to existing stored value cards, like members have been using at YWCA Uptown?
A: Existing stored value cards will not work with the new system. Any remaining value on these cards can be applied to your membership account. Visit the Uptown Member Services Desk starting October 24 to initiate the refund process and explore your new parking payment options.