Downtown Fort Worth Free Parking Era Ends Tonight: As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2025, Maria pulled her SUV into the familiar City Center Garage at 400 Jones Street, the engine humming softly under the glow of downtown lights. For 26 years, this spot had been a free haven for evenings out and weekend adventures, courtesy of the city's Downtown Tax Increment Financing district that subsidized spots at City Center and 777 Main to boost local shops and eateries. Tonight, on the program's final evening, she savored the ritual one last time, knowing paid rates would kick in tomorrow—though street meters stayed free after 6 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends, and Sundance Square validations offered a workaround. Maria met her friends at a Sundance Square bistro, laughter echoing as they dined without a worry about tickets. "Here's to free parking memories," she toasted, grabbing a validation stamp for good measure. Outside, the streets buzzed with New Year's Eve crowds, oblivious to the shift ahead. Walking out into the crisp air, Maria eyed the FW Park app on her phone, ready for 2026's realities. The end of free garage nights marked a new chapter for Fort Worth's vibrant core, nudging visitors toward planning ahead with validations or street savvy. Story By Donnell Ballard. #ParkingFines #ParkingProblems #DowntownFW #StreetParking happy holidays to everyone
