MGM Resorts parking to stay free for locals through Dec. 29

By J.D. Morris

Thursday, May 12, 2016 | 9:42 a.m.

MGM Resorts International will start introducing paid parking across its Las Vegas hotels June 6, but the casino operator said today that Nevada residents won’t be charged to self-park for more than six months.

In an email early this morning, MGM Resorts said that through Dec. 29, self-parking will remain free for locals who show a valid state driver’s license. Parking will still be free after that for those who participate in the company’s loyalty program, M Life, and reach Pearl tier status.

Gold, Platinum and Noir members will also receive free valet parking, according to MGM Resorts.

MGM Resorts has said it’s rolling out the paid-parking policy as part of a $90 million initiative that includes building a new garage near Excalibur and making a range of improvements to existing parking facilities. Fees have already been implemented at certain garages near the company’s new T-Mobile Arena when events are held there.

The company’s January announcement that it would charge for parking was met with intense backlash from locals, as the policy ends a long tradition of free parking on the Strip. A Facebook group titled “SUPPORT FREE PARKING BOYCOTT MGM RESORTS International” has more than 1,900 members, and a change.org petition to keep parking free at MGM properties has more than 1,800 supporters.

MGM Resorts said when it announced the move that locals would have a “grace period.”

“The environment in Las Vegas has changed dramatically in the decades since amenities like low-quality dining, lodging and free parking were offered to attract customers,” Lili Tomovich, the company’s chief experience officer, wrote in the email today. “Growth in tourism and our local population — including many more cars on our local roadways — requires more parking availability, more efficient, modern parking systems and more frequent maintenance and upgrades to our aging facilities — all of which come at significant cost.”