Commission Proposes Hike In Parking Rates
Increase Would Vary By Locations
Updated: 8:10 am CST February 11, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Transit and Parking Commission on Tuesday night proposed increasing fees for city meters and parking ramps.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe proposed increase in fees varies depending on the parking space.In downtown Madison, the proposal would increase meter parking 25 cents, bringing the rate from $1.25 to $1.50 an hour.Special event parking currently costs $4, which is paid on entrance in downtown ramps. The proposal would push it to $5.Parking ramps currently charge 70 cents to $1.10 an hour, and the proposal would increase that to $1 to $1.40 an hour.City officials said the proposed increases would bring in $725,000 in revenue and encourage carpooling.But it's not an idea that is sitting well with businesses along State Street who need to attract customers at night."It's a problem partly because of the cost. If someone's coming downtown to pick up a book at my store, maybe have dinner that might take them an hour and a half, suddenly they're paying a lot more for their parking than they would have paid for a two-hour stay," said Sandra Torkildson, of A Room Of One's Own.John Hutchinson, co-owner of Fontana Sports and president of the State Street Business Association said that higher rates will keep customers away.Hutchinson said he understands that parking has to cost something, but wishes it wouldn't increase. He said he wants the Transit and Parking Commission to look at downtown as a place to visit and not a revenue source.The public will get a chance to weigh in on the proposal at a hearing on March 10.The city's parking operations manager said the city wants there to be vacancies when people come to park, so the biggest fee increases would be in the most popular parking places.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe proposed increase in fees varies depending on the parking space.In downtown Madison, the proposal would increase meter parking 25 cents, bringing the rate from $1.25 to $1.50 an hour.Special event parking currently costs $4, which is paid on entrance in downtown ramps. The proposal would push it to $5.Parking ramps currently charge 70 cents to $1.10 an hour, and the proposal would increase that to $1 to $1.40 an hour.City officials said the proposed increases would bring in $725,000 in revenue and encourage carpooling.But it's not an idea that is sitting well with businesses along State Street who need to attract customers at night."It's a problem partly because of the cost. If someone's coming downtown to pick up a book at my store, maybe have dinner that might take them an hour and a half, suddenly they're paying a lot more for their parking than they would have paid for a two-hour stay," said Sandra Torkildson, of A Room Of One's Own.John Hutchinson, co-owner of Fontana Sports and president of the State Street Business Association said that higher rates will keep customers away.Hutchinson said he understands that parking has to cost something, but wishes it wouldn't increase. He said he wants the Transit and Parking Commission to look at downtown as a place to visit and not a revenue source.The public will get a chance to weigh in on the proposal at a hearing on March 10.The city's parking operations manager said the city wants there to be vacancies when people come to park, so the biggest fee increases would be in the most popular parking places. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
