Grand Rapids considers downtown parking rate increase
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Under the City of Grand Rapids’ proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year, Mobile GR is looking at several downtown parking rate increases.
Changes would include extending metered parking until 7 p.m. on weekdays, increasing maximum event parking rates for large events (primarily those with at least 9,000 attendees) from $15 to $25, and hiking monthly parking rates up 2%.
Jennifer Kasper, the interim director of Mobile GR, said the increases are needed due to inflation and capital investments.
“It’s quite expensive to maintain a parking system and we do have aging infrastructure. So it does help to fund the capital investments, as well as ongoing operations,” Kasper said.
In the fall of last year, the Mobile GR Commission approved a parking market competitiveness framework that uses economic development, fiscal responsibility, market comparison, and operational efficiency when considering rate changes and budgets.
Before that framework, Mobile GR also took part in focus groups with economic and business leaders regarding the latest proposal.
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“The way in which we proposed our rate increases with the event rate increase being the top, with an additional hour of enforcement on the street, followed by that very small monthly parking increase is what was collectively decided would be the most palatable,” Kasper said.
For some drivers and downtown workers, there are some concerns with the proposal.
“I park at the bus station because it’s free there, so I don’t have to deal with the parking down here. When I go home I do not come back downtown because of the parking issue,” said Shane Gahlau, who works in downtown Grand Rapids.
Gahlau said he understands the need to maintain a budget, but additional parking rate increases could cause more people to avoid the area.
“We’re not going to come down here and pay 20 bucks for parking and then go to a hockey game and pay more money, right?” Gahlau said.
Kasper said the increases will keep the city competitive with private parking operators.
“But still keeping us slightly below so that we are providing a more affordable option,” Kasper said.
She also emphasized that there are still a variety of transportation options available.
“With the DASH service that we provide seven days a week, as well as the micromobility to ensure people can get to the destinations that they want to go to at all various price points,” Kasper said.
If approved, the changes will take effect in July. It would also mark the third time since the start of 2023 that parking rates have been increased in downtown Grand Rapids.
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