Tags - City of Boise, parking, public transportation
The Capital City Development Corporation is considering a hike in parking fees at its eight downtown Boise garages. The urban renewal agency’s board of directors will debate a proposal to boost the fees from $1.50 to $2.50 per hour and from $79 to $100 for monthly customers. The first hour of parking would remain free.
Executive Director Phil Kushlan says the rate hikes would raise an estimated $4.1 million over four years and would pay for infrastructure improvements like concrete repairs, elevator improvements and deck waterproofing.
“We’ve been able to coast on the fact that we’ve had a relatively new system for the past 20 years,” Kushlan said. “If we want to be good stewards, then we need to make an additional investment upfront.”
The agency will hold a public hearing on the rate increases on June 23.
14 Comments
A 66% increase for hourly and a 26% increase on monthly? That is effectively a tax on employees and employers working or people shopping downtown.
Comment By Jeff Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 8:51 AM
Good idea!! In the wake of slower consumer spending and a tough retail environment, let's see if we can keep folks out of downtown.
I'm sure the shop owners and restaurants will understand.
Comment By Mike Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 9:41 AM
Hasn't anyone been to a big city?
Parking in downtown Chicago is over $9/hr. with no first-hour-free. This is still a total steal.
Comment By Ann Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 11:40 AM
How about we eliminate redundant administrative expenses....like the entire CCDC?
CCDC is no longer needed in downtown. It should be put out to pasture.
Comment By Erich Zimmerman Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 11:40 AM
I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff and Mike. This parking fee proposal is just the icing on the cake of increased costs apprearing across the board. And what perfect timing. In tandem with a huge downturn in the economy, these cost hikes will undoubtedly inspire consumer confidence, increase downtown commerce, and further secure employee loyalty. (Duly noted sarcasm)
Comment By Ardith Lowell Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 12:37 PM
Ride your bikes, walk, or take the bus!
Comment By Kelsey Nunez Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 12:44 PM
If you don't want to pay for parking, that is. Otherwise, the cost at CCDC is still reasonable compared to other cities and within this region itself.
Comment By Kelsey Nunez Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 1:01 PM
CCDC is no longer needed...get rid of it and apply the money to infrastructure improvements. The City's position has been to encourage people to come into the downtown area for shopping or dining. Raising the parking fees isn't the best strategy for accomplishing that goal.
BTW: What guarantee is there that CCDC will spend the supposed $4.1 million gained by raising the parking rates on improvements. After all, it operates without oversight or accountability to the citizens as evidenced by spending taxpayer dollars on the Arid Club membership for Kushlan. That isn't my idea of good money management. I don't value CCDC or trust the director or his decision-making. Dump CCDC.
Comment By Pat Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 1:16 PM
too bad the legislature voted down a tax for mass transit so you wouldn't have to pay high parking prices
Comment By bob Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 1:52 PM
I agree with Bob about mass transit. Compass,the Boise Chamber of Commerce, and the Legislators talk the talk, but don't walk the walk when it comes to mass transit. I once represented my employer at the Chamber transportation meetings led by Ray Stark...not a thing has changed in 8 years except there's more traffic. I guess these so-called leaders are still talking.
Comment By Pat Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 2:19 PM
I agree with Pat; can we at least have a guarantee that the additional $4.1 million would be put to good use?
CCDC needs to be dissolved. Phil Kushlan is not even qualified to be where he's at. I've done some very basic public information research on the backgrounds of CCDC board memebers and staff; and I've come to the conclusion that a single freshman Civil Engineering college student probably knows more about healthy downtown development, urban renewal, and support than CCDC.
Comment By Kathy Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 2:30 PM
This isn't about mass transit or riding bikes. this is about CCDC's blissful disregard for the welfare of downtown businesses.
The more cost and hassle associated with shopping downtown, the less people will do it. It's painfully simple.
Until a transit system is built, or until everyone is in biking distance of downtown, parking rates should be kept low to avoid strangling the fragile downtown economy.
It's cheaper to rent space at the Boise Towne Square...or any of those big box strip malls out west. AND because it's easier and cheaper to park there than coming downtown...why come downtown?
CCDC's request is unconscionable.
Comment By erich zimmerman Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 3:41 PM
I'm assuming that Kelsey lives within a couple of miles of downtown and doesn't have a job that requires a car to visit clients. That said, if there was a reasonable alternative, like an express bus service (or light rail in maybe 25 years) between downtown and concentrated residential areas (Meridian, Southeast Boise, etc), I would take the bus once and while. Until then, it makes no sense to slap a huge tax increase on downtown businesses and their employees.
Comment By Jeff Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 4:47 PM
So in the wake of an economic downturn someone has decided to make it more expensive for us to work and shop downtown. Brilliant. And has anyone been to BoDo recently? Shops are literally closing left and right. What incentives do people have to go there when there are less shopping and dining opportunities and it costs more to park?Not to mention the "special event parking" the garages have been having that will set you back $5, even if you just need to park for an hour. And with gas prices rising I wouldn't be surprised if people stay out of downtown completely.
Comment By Christine Wednesday, May 14, 2008 @ 9:17 AM
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