Erlanger Health System officials announced that parking rates in the hospital’s downtown parking garage will increase from $1 to $2, starting on Jan. 1.
Those with handicap tags continue to park free in Erlanger’s garage, and free parking is still available to patients and visitors using the hospital’s valet services at five locations on the downtown campus. Those locations include the main entrance to the hospital by the Medical Mall, outside the Adult Emergency Room entrance on Hampton Street, outside the Children’s Hospital Emergency Room entrance on Hampton Street, the West Wing Surgical Services entrance to Erlanger on Hampton Street and the new Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center.
Officials also noted that hospital volunteers will continue to be able to park free, as well as members of the clergy who are visiting patients and students with Erlanger badges doing clinical rotations at the hospital.
Patients and visitors who park in Erlanger’s garage without leaving will pay $2, regardless of the number of hours or days they stay in the hospital. Approximately 1,000 parking spaces on the ground, first and second levels of the Erlanger parking garage are reserved specifically for patients and visitors.
According to Erlanger Chief Operating Officer Rob Brooks, the $1 increase is to help offset rising costs of maintaining the parking garage, multiple valet services, labor, parking lots and shuttles on the Erlanger campus. “This increase is also needed to cover expenses for building additional lots at our downtown campus,” said Mr.
Brooks. “Erlanger’s expansive growth has led to the need for more lots.”