KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There will be higher parking rates, longer hours for parking fees and other changes coming to Kalamazoo’s downtown in the weeks, months and years ahead.
But it will allow the city to maintain 90-minutes of free parking in ramps.
Most city commissioners initially opposed the plan last month, fearing it would be another obstacle to shoppers coming to a neighborhood besieged by construction.
But downtown business owners and a Chamber of Commerce representative told the commission they need the changes and need them now.
City Planner Christine Anderson says their current 90-minutes of free parking in the ramps can only be continued with new sources of revenue.
She says the current parking system discourages businesses from being open in the evenings because they can’t control the parking after 5 p.m., and keep spaces open for new customers.
She says the new income will make the parking system sustainable again.
Commissioner Don Cooney was the lone remaining opponent, saying he still thinks it will scare away business and was particularly opposed to an ordinance change that allows the traffic engineer to set rates and hours.
Anderson says new parking kiosks will go into the Kalamazoo Mall yet this month, fees in ramps and lots will go up in November, and street rates will go up in future years, when they can find the cash to finance new meters.
Commissioners quickly approved a separate proposal to introduce street parking overnight downtown, setting fees similar to ramp rates for monthly and daily parking.
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