Rice Village is revamping its parking management system. Beginning in February, street parking will be metered within the area bordered by Kirby Drive, Morningside Drive, Rice Boulevard and University Boulevard. Rates start at $1 for the first hour. The meters are designed to maintain the availability of Rice Village’s storefront parking spaces.

Rice Village District customers can still park free for up to two hours in the retail property’s central parking garage and rooftop parking area. As part of its new plan, the popular shopping and dining spot will increase its free parking spaces by 36%.

Uniformed parking ambassadors will be available to assist shoppers with the operation of meters in the premium storefront spaces, Jerry Marcus, president of The Parking Advisory Group, a consultant to Rice Village, said. New signage also has been installed throughout Rice Village to direct shoppers to the free, two-hour garage and rooftop parking areas.