Will A New Proposal Keep People Away From Downtown Grand Rapids?

Coming to an event in downtown Grand Rapids might get pricier.

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The city of Grand Rapids is considering a proposal to increase parking rates and extend meter enforcement hours as part of its fiscal year 2025 budget.

If this goes through it would be the third rate hike since January 1st, 2023.

The reason for the proposed rate increase is to address rising costs and fund public transportation and mobility project

What Will The New Rates Look Like

Under the new proposal, special event parking rates will see an increase, and on-street metered parking enforcement hours will be extended by an hour until 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Monthly parking rates would rise by 2%, with current rates ranging from $48 to $200 depending on the location.

Jennifer Kasper, the interim director of Mobile GR, said the proposed changes are driven by the need to keep up with inflation and the increasing costs of supplies.

The revenue from the increased rates will also support the DASH service, a free community transit option, and other mobility initiatives like car sharing and micro-mobility programs.

When Would The New Rates Go Into Effect

If approved, the new parking rates will take effect on July 1, 2024.

While I don't have a solution to tackling the issues that brought up the idea of another parking price hike, I believe that this isn't the answer.

It's hard enough for a family of four to get into the car, drive to downtown grand rapids, pay for parking, buy tickets to an event and feed everyone.

A few extra bucks for parking might not seem like much for some people, but for others that might be the straw that broke the camel's back.

I'd love to know your thoughts, send me an email and tell me what you think.