HUNTINGTON BEACH : Merchants Accept New Parking Fee Plan
The City Council this week agreed to a parking-rate plan for the downtown parking structure after merchants charged that raising fees would chase customers away.
Last month, the council imposed a parking fee increase that angered the business community. However, city officials recently met with merchants and an alternate plan was reached to help relieve their concerns.
The City Council Monday unanimously approved a tiered system of validations along with a change in the hours that validations will be honored.
Stephen C. Daniel, president of the Downtown Business Assn. and owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, said that it is a workable plan that will “make everybody happy.” Community Services Director Ron Haganalso said the new rates won’t hurt businesses and caters to each of the different types of downtown businesses.
The rates to park in the Main Promenade Parking Structure will remain $2 on weekdays and $3 on weekends with the first 1 1/2 hours free.
Edwards Theater and Powerhouse Gym will continue paying 25 cents for each three hours of validations.
Merchants also can buy validations, Hagan said.
The new fees are expected to raise about $450,000 for 1994-95 to offset the parking structure’s operation and building costs.
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