Lang
9/4/24
A move to reduce downtown Iowa City parking rates has passed the first of three required votes from the Iowa City city council.
As of July 1st the cost to park at a downtown meter increased from $1.50 to $3 an hour. Ramp fees increased from $1 to $2 per hour.
Several downtown businesses and the Iowa City Downtown District implored the city to reduce the new rates, arguing that the new rate would discourage residents from shopping downtown.
City staff responded by recommending that the City Council reduce the downtown meter rate to $2, up just 50 cents per hour from the previous rate. On Tuesday night the council approved 6-1 a proposal to reduce the hourly fee to $2.25 per hour, with councilor Andrew Dunn the lone dissenting vote. Dunn noted the reduction would cost the city $300,000 in annual revenue.
The proposal must pass two more votes before it can be enacted.
The city sought additional revenue after making Iowa City Transit buses free as of last year.
The city council also voted to begin a parking permit program that would allow residents to pay $67.50 per month to park in the city ramps from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends.