The two-hour free parking period will focus on shoppers and diners to encourage continued support for downtown businesses while allowing the parking division to begin charging others using the facilities for longer periods of time, according to a news release. 

With efforts being made in the city to promote additional restaurant and business support, council members discussed a span of free parking may bring more people to downtown businesses.

“If we can say that we’ve got this new amenity downtown where people can get food and sit at picnic tables and not worry about paying for parking during that time, I think those two things go together,” East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier said.

According to the release, enforcement at street meters and multi-spaced metered lots will resume in June along with permit lots.

The Passport Parking mobile payment app is available for use at all meter locations, according to the news release.