Downtown Berkeley’s Shattuck Avenue, which has boasted packed parking slots on most weekend afternoons, might soon find itself with many more vacant spaces as a result of a recent decision that could increase the hourly parking rate from $1.50 to $1.75.
The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday to increase the hourly parking rate of the 750 parking spaces found in the Downtown by 25 cents — a decision which could take effect as early as July 11.
Other cities do have higher hourly meter rates — San Francisco with an average of $3 and Oakland with $2.
“If you look at other cities, this increase by 25 cents still puts us below the average in the East Bay,” said Councilmember Jesse Arreguin, whose district encompasses the Downtown. “Also, the money will be going toward the city’s contribution to the PBID (Property-Based Improvement District), which will help invest in the infrastructure of the Downtown area.”
The increase affects 88 pay-and-display stations between Oxford Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way and between Kittredge Street and University Avenue, which includes popular parking areas such as Shattuck Avenue and Allston Way.
“The increase is a way to pay for the city’s portion of the new Downtown Berkeley Property-Based Improvement District,” said Phil Kamlarz, Berkeley city manager.
The increase is estimated to generate $125,000 in revenue, which would more than cover the city’s potential PBID payment commitment of a rough annual $105,000.
The Downtown Berkeley PBID would be a special district where property is assessed to fund Downtown improvements and services including maintenance teams, marketing projects and neighborhood watch programs.
If the PBID is approved by property owners in the affected area via the petition and ballot process, it will appear on the November 2011 Alameda County tax bill for voter approval.
The council’s decision passed with some apprehension among some of its members, with 3 of 10 voting members voting against it.
“I support the PBID, but I cannot support an increase in rates at this time,” said Councilmember Gordon Wozniak. “Our Downtown businesses are already fragile. The Downtown has to compete with a lot of regional shopping centers where they don’t charge for parking or parking is cheaper. The rate increase will not completely discourage people, but it’s going to discourage some from visiting the Downtown area.”
Wozniak said he fears that even the increased rate might not actually generate more money. With an increase in parking rates and fees within the last couple of years, Wozniak said he has noticed more available spaces and cautioned that this rate increase might detract from the already dwindling downtown parking revenue.
Councilmember Linda Maio said that while she understands the concerns of the increased rates, she sees the measure as a way to generate more revenue for the city.
“Nobody wants to do this, but … it is just generally that people are not as active in shopping as they used to be,” Maio said. “I just don’t see where we are going to come up with $105,000 to pay for PBID.”
Though some were concerned that the increased rate would deter people from parking in the area, South Berkeley resident Pat Sussnan said she would continue to park in the area.
“The rate increase will not affect my Downtown parking habits,” Sussnan said. “Paying with a credit card is so easy that I won’t even think about the 25-cent increase.”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QXzjkfUeg&w=425&h=349]
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I have to wonder what the impact will be when Bay Street in Emeryville has parking fees in a covered garage that are far cheaper than parking in Berkeley.
Here’s the their table of parking fees and underneath I’ve put the URL where I found this information.
Bay Street Emeryville provides approximately 1,900 parking spaces for
shoppers, moviegoers and diners. Parking is located in three decks
within the property as well as on street parking along Bay Street. All
facilities are well lit and access points are clearly marked.
Rates
• 0 to 3 hours: $2.00
• 3-4 hours: $3.00
• 4-5 hours: $5.00
• 5-6 hours: $7.00
• 6-7 hours: $9.00
• 7-8 hours: $11.00
• 8-24 hours: $12.00
Validation with purchase available at Barnes & Noble. AMC validates for parking.
Overton provides 24-hour a day security services at Bay Street, Emeryville. 510.655.4007
http://www.baystreetemeryville.com/info/directions.cfm
This is stupid. Berkeley is not San Francisco, there is plenty of free two-hour parking available if you are willing to walk four blocks.
How about not spending money that you don’t have? How about cutting the gold-plated union benefits? How about cutting funding for some of the ridiculous, pointless, and and duplicate “commissions” ?
It’s fun to watch libs scurry around and look for ways to have others pay for the budget shortfall. Cutting costs never crosses their Obama loving minds.