Parking ramps’ hourly rates in the Court Avenue area (Second Street to Fifth Avenue and Vine Street to Walnut Street) changed to $1 an hour on Jan. 17 to encourage employees and long-term parkers to use the garages as opposed to curbside slots. The goal is to keep street parking freed up for consumers and downtown visitors. The Park Downtown Des Moines effort is starting in the Court area and will spread to the East Village area in the spring. Other changes now in effect: 
• All meters in the Court Avenue District now accept credit cards.
• Nearly 300 additional free parking spaces are available in Polk County lots from 5 p.m. —  5 a.m. Monday – Friday in the following locations: Fifth & Cherry St.; Fifth and Wagner; Polk County Administration Building lot on Court Avenue; and the Polk County Election Office, Second Avenue. 
• 200 on-street metered spots will now require payment Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.