From Thursday, November 19, through November 29, the Sedona Shuttle runs every day except Thanksgiving. On those days the Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass trailhead lots are closed to private cars. Uptown works differently this year. It still has the free lots and Main Street meters it had last winter, because every Uptown parking change the City Council advanced in August is waiting on the Uptown Parking Garage at 430 and 460 Forest Road. The City's project site now gives "Early 2027" as the completion date.
So the delay matters beyond the garage itself. It holds back paid public parking across Uptown, the residential permit program for three Uptown streets, and the higher rates the council has already approved. All of that waits for one building.
The August Votes That Wait on One Building
At its August 25 meeting, the council unanimously set maximum parking rates for the Uptown meters, the garage and the Sacajawea Plaza surface lot. Sedona Red Rock News described the plan as "the framework for a future in which all public parking in Uptown has a fee." The same story reported that none of those changes would take effect soon, because the garage had not opened. It added that city staff want to monitor Uptown for at least six months after the garage opens.
Here's what Uptown parking costs this season, next to the maximums now on the books:
| Location | Rate this holiday season | Approved maximum, once implemented |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street meters on SR 89A | First 15 minutes free, then $2 per hour for hours one through three, $4 for hour four, $6 for hour five | $4 per hour with a three-hour limit, $5 in peak season |
| City Lot 5 | Free, all day | $2.50 per hour, $3.50 in peak season |
| Uptown Parking Garage | Not yet open | $2.50 per hour, $3.50 in peak season |
The peak season in that framework covers March through May and September through November. Fees would apply from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no parking from midnight to 5 a.m.
The council also voted 5-1 to move ahead with a residential permit parking program covering Van Deren, Price and Smith roads, between Schnebly Road on the north and Forest Road on the south. Councilwoman Kathy Kinsella voted no. The program would apply only if certain conditions appear, including spillover parking from the garage onto residential streets. Deputy City Manager Andy Dickey said "it's our intention" to bring it back for final approval. One of those conditions can't occur until the garage opens.
How "Spring Break" Became "Early 2027"
Construction began in May 2025, aiming to open by spring break 2026. That slipped to June, and then Sedona Red Rock News reported a December or January target in early September. The garage project's own site now says early 2027.
Three issues account for most of the delay:
- The facade. The garage's serpentine exterior needed a structural review of its connections and welds. City staff said the corrective work was scheduled to wrap up August 25.
- The water main. Water flowing through the existing six-inch main to the garage's sprinkler system exceeded plumbing-code velocity limits. "Once we upgrade the size of the [water] line, it drops those velocities down and brings us into a safe condition," Dickey said, as quoted in the same Red Rock News story.
- The excavation dispute. In August the council approved a $1,194,559 settlement with McCarthy. The City is pursuing separate litigation over the excavation work, according to Sedona Red Rock News, and the excavation contractor disputes the allegations.
Dickey put the total project cost at about $28.25 million, including the McCarthy settlement. The council also approved a $3,741,285.50 contract with J. Banicki Construction. About $2.54 million of it covers Forest Road improvements and roughly $1.2 million covers water-system upgrades. That contract is the work now underway on Forest Road.
Forest Road Through December
The City's November 2 release said Banicki was set to begin work that week, and the City's October monthly roundup reports that construction on Forest Road has begun. The project includes a larger water main running from the garage to a connection at Van Deren Road, new sidewalk on both sides of Forest Road from the garage down to the existing sidewalk at SR 89A, new curb, gutter and driveway entrances, and new asphalt for the whole road.
Crews may work Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and occasionally on Fridays. One lane stays open in each direction, with flagging, reduced speeds, rough pavement and temporary driveway restrictions. The public parking area on Forest Road is closed while construction continues.
The City lists the remaining steps before opening as the water and fire-protection work, followed by final inspections and approvals. The release says the roadway and sidewalk work doesn't have to be finished before the garage opens, but safe pedestrian and vehicle access will be in place by opening day. The project hotline is (928) 852-4164, and you can request email updates at [email protected].
The water work also has a second phase. Council has not approved it yet. It would extend the upgrades up Van Deren Road and across Schnebly Road to Jordan Road, at an estimated cost of about $2.5 million. Construction could start next summer at the earliest and would finish in December 2027.
Uptown Parking While the Old Rules Hold
The City's Uptown parking page lists two free all-day lots and four free lots with a three-hour limit. The City leases some of these lots from private businesses, so posted spaces such as employee-only spots still apply. The City brochure identifies Lot 5 as an all-day lot and Lots 3, 4, 6 and 7 as three-hour lots.
Main Street meters run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, and are free outside those hours. The rate climbs the longer you stay: a two-hour lunch costs $4, and five hours costs $16. Pay stations take cards and a pay-by-phone app with a 10-cent convenience fee, but no cash. Accessible spaces in the metered zone require payment along with a disability plate or placard.
When the garage opens, Uptown gains about 270 spaces on three levels, one of them below grade. The garage will also have EV charging, restrooms, an information kiosk, a solar array, a police substation and bike parking. It will include a Sedona Shuttle stop as well. The fee schedule above can follow after that, once staff complete at least six months of monitoring.
The Trailheads Already Ration Car Access
Uptown's paid-parking plan is still on hold, but the trailheads already limit car access on busy days. The Sedona Shuttle normally runs Thursday through Sunday. For the holidays it adds the following days:
| Window | Shuttle service |
|---|---|
| November 19 to 29 | Daily, except Thanksgiving Day, November 26 |
| December 17 to 24 | Daily |
| December 25 | No service |
| December 26 to 31 | Service operates |
| January 1 to 3 | Service operates |
Whenever the shuttle is running, the parking lots at Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass are closed. Outside shuttle hours, Cathedral Rock's lot opens again. Little Horse Trailhead parking isn't meant to be used as overflow for Cathedral Rock. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day have no shuttle service at all.
Two Evenings at Tlaquepaque
The season's two main evening events are both at Tlaquepaque. The annual Tree Lighting is Friday, December 4, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Tlaquepaque North, with Santa, children's activities, hot chocolate and local performers.
The Holiday Sweet Stroll follows on December 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. The luminaria-lined walkways and courtyards are new this year, and guests are invited to light the luminarias at 5 p.m. Neither event is in Uptown, so the Forest Road construction doesn't affect them.
If you own property near Uptown and want to know how the garage, the coming fee schedule or the Van Deren, Price and Smith permit program could affect it, the senior partners at ROCO Luxury Homes follow these council decisions closely. Book a Private Consultation, and we'll go through what's been approved, what still waits on the garage, and how it applies to your street.
