Getty tightens the screws on parking a bit more

Visiting the Getty Museum will still cost the public $15 a car, or $10 for evening events if you come in after 5 p.m. But researchers using the Getty Research Institute's library and archives will now have to pay. And those helpful money-takers out at the gate on Sepulveda Boulevard are being replaced by automated ticket machines installed in the Getty garage. Just like at the shopping malls. It all kicks in later this month.

From an email sent to scholars and other researchers:

Dear Reader, On July 30, the Getty Center will begin charging Library Readers and business visitors for parking. There will be a few different payment options: --Parking passes good for an unlimited number of visits for three months can be purchased at the Parking Office. The Stack Reader pass, providing access Monday-Friday, will be $50; the Extended Reader pass, providing access seven days a week, will be $75. --Annual parking passes, featuring an additional discount, can also be purchased at the Parking Office. The Stack Reader annual pass will be $175; the Extended Reader annual pass will be $275. --If you do not wish to purchase a Stack or Extended Reader parking pass, there will be a $15 charge for each visit. You will pull a ticket upon entering the parking garage and can pay before you exit at any one of a number of Parking Pay Stations located throughout the site. The Parking Office, which is scheduled to open July 23, will be located on the T1 level at the bottom of the hill.

The email is wrong about business visitors, apparently. The Getty tells me that staffers will still be able to arrange complimentary parking for business visitors, but each department will have a cap on the number of passes it can issue. Staff, volunteers and docents are also supposed to receive two free "Friends and Family" parking coupons, and can buy additional coupons at a discounted rate. None of this applies to the Getty Villa at the beach, by the way.

"The only change for most visitors will be less of a back-up on Sepulveda on the way in to the Getty, particularly during peak visitorship times," says Julie Jaskol, the Getty's assistant director of media relations. "In the past, cars got backed-up while people paid before accessing the parking structure."

While we're on the subject: Flavorpill has included the Getty on a new list of the world's 20 most beautiful museums.