City puts one-year reprieve on parking rate increases, everyone shocked that prices might go up again.
Waterloo studies potential parking rate hike
Mavin thinks that "the market will drive what the fees will end up being", but at the same time, supports tax subsidization of parking. There is no "market", under this kind of distortion.
Bob Mavin is the Councillor for Ward 1, which lies entirely west of Fischer-Hallman. It is unsurprising that keeping parking in Uptown subsidized is a concern for him.
Waterloo studies potential parking rate hike
Quote:WATERLOO — Parking could get more expensive in Waterloo if councillors go ahead with a plan to recover the full costs from drivers.
"If you do all-in costing that's probably what you're going to end up with is a higher parking rate," Coun. Bob Mavin said.
Council raised monthly parking rates about 10 per cent each year between 2009 and 2014 after a report in 2008 recommending cost-recovery was endorsed. Hourly rates also increased during that period.
But a freeze was ordered for 2015 to allow for the study.
[...]
Mavin said he supports the study, but is skeptical about whether cost-recovery would work.
"I think it's good to know what the full cost of anything is before you determine what the fee will be, but the market will really drive what the fees will end up being," he said.
The city currently owns about 2,400 spaces within the boundary of the Uptown Business Improvement Area. About 235 are curb parking and the rest are in 16 off-street lots and the city parkade.
Most parking for shoppers and visitors in uptown is free. but time limited.
Monthly passes range between about $49 to $146, depending on the lot. Hourly parking rates range from $2.75 to $3.25 per hour.
In 2010, monthly passes ranged between about $22 and $99. Hourly parking was $2.25 per hour.
The city's parking and parking enforcement costs this year are about $1.3 million, according to budget documents. About $1.5 million is budgeted for parkade upgrades and parking expansion.
Mavin said he expects there will continue to be some draw on tax dollars to pay for the operation of city parking.
Mavin thinks that "the market will drive what the fees will end up being", but at the same time, supports tax subsidization of parking. There is no "market", under this kind of distortion.
Bob Mavin is the Councillor for Ward 1, which lies entirely west of Fischer-Hallman. It is unsurprising that keeping parking in Uptown subsidized is a concern for him.