The ODA parking garage in Sittard just won a European award and you can park there all day for 5 euros

Key Takeaway

The ODA parking garage in Sittard received the European ESPA award after major improvements addressing water damage, elevators, lighting, entrance doors, and charging stations. The 640-space garage now exceeds European quality standards for safety and user-friendliness.

Great news for anyone who parks in the center of Sittard. The ODA parking garage received a European quality award last Friday, June 26: the ESPA award. Pretty remarkable, considering this garage was recently known mostly for its problems.

What got fixed?

Water flooding issues solved with a new gutter system
All elevators completely replaced
Better lighting for improved safety
Clearer instructions at entrance doors so they stop getting damaged
Charging stations now work properly for electric vehicles

And the best part? All-day parking costs just 5 euros. With 640 spots, it is the go-to place when visiting the historic city center.

Alderman Leon Geilen called the news from the European organization ‘a pleasant surprise’ and promised more improvements are still coming, including new signage and a fresh floor coating.

The ESPA award is granted on behalf of the European Parking Association exclusively to garages meeting strict European standards for safety, comfort, and user-friendliness. What makes the ODA parking garage stand out is that it actually exceeds these norms in several areas, which is quite rare for municipal parking facilities in the Netherlands.