Miami city commissioners are considering raising parking rates in some parts of Miami. NBC 6’s Marissa Bagg reports.
Get your wallets ready -- city commissioners are considering raising parking rates in some popular parts of Miami.
Visitors may soon need to pay more to park in Wynwood, Brickell, Little River, Calle Ocho and Coral Way. City commissioners discussed this proposal at a meeting Thursday.
"That seems like a little much to me, they’re already pretty high," said Iulia Tath.
Spots in Little River will see an increase from $1.75 an hour to $2.50 an hour. Wynwood would see the biggest hike, from $1.25 an hour to $3 an hour. Garage rates would also increase, by as much as $90 more in Brickell alone.
"We understand from the Parking Authority that they haven't changed rates in nine years and they need the additional revenue, but for me, it's important that this doesn't fall on the backs of the residents," said commissioner Ken Russell. "I will be asking for an amendment on the floor to increase the residential discount on the parking rates.
The proposed rate for residents is 30 percent, but that was still not enough to get Commissioner Manuel Reyes on board with the hike.
"We cannot burden our residents more and this will hurt the small businesses on Calle Ocho and Flagler, and businesses on 7th Street and 17th Avenue," Reyes said.
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The Parking Authority said the increase could generate as much as $7 million for the city.
The parking hike would need to pass in a second vote next month, and then the new prices could roll out by January 1.
