The City of Tacoma announced today the first parking pay station in downtown Tacoma will be installed at 10 a.m. on Tues., Aug. 24 in front of Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub, located at 815 Pacific Ave. It is the first of 20 pay stations expected to be installed this week. The pattern will continue through Labor Day, with approximately 10 pay stations being installed every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday through Labor Day. Paid on-street parking will begin Sept. 20.

In addition, the city’s Parking Advisory Task Force is throwing a number of “house parties” at local businesses where people can ask questions, get answers, and see a demonstration of the new machines being installed around town. The first “house party” is today at 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Cafe, located at 1746 Pacific Ave. Other scheduled “house parties” include: The Swiss (1904 Jefferson Ave.) on Aug. 23 @ 2:30 p.m.; LeRoy Jewelers (940 Broadway) on Sept. 1 @ 8:30 a.m.; Sanford and Sons (743 Broadway) on Sept. 8 @ 2 p.m.; Paddy Coynes (815 Pacific Ave. — TBA); and Smooth and Juicy (1122 Market St. — TBA).

The City of Tacoma authorized the implementation of a paid on-street parking program. The goal was to reduce the number of spots being used by “chain-parking” downtown employees and free those spaces up for customers who visit retailers and businesses on a short-term basis, thereby increasing the turnover of available parking. City officials say the pay stations will improve the turnover of downtown on-street spaces making it easier for customers and visitors to conveniently find on-street parking to shop, dine and participate in other activities. Approximately 150 electronic pay stations will be installed in an area that stretches from South Seventh Street, Market Street, South 21st Street, and Dock Street.

For more information, visit http://www.downtowntacomaparking.com , http://www.facebook.com/tacomaparker , and @tacomaparker (Twitter).