Off-street parking rate changes made official

Off street parking rate changes in Prince George have been made official.

Monday night, council voted to reduce the increase in off-street parking fees after a strong response from users in January.

However, the change was voted against by Mayor Shari Green and Councilor Cameron Stolz, who says “if we’re going to re-evaluate it, we should have a comprehensive look at how we can group our rates together so it makes more sense, so that off street parking that is on the ground level that’s open to the elements is not being charged more than those that are parking under covered parking with a plug in at the same time.”

Stolz also notes without sufficient funding, paying for upkeep will be a challenge.

“If there’s a need for more funds for up keeping and maintenance and the capital improvement that are needed for that off street parking, the question is now who is going to pay and the [Downtown Business Improvement Association] has addressed their concerns now that they will be carrying the full weight of the costs of upgrading and improving the facilities,” he says.

Though rate hikes went through in January, council voted a month later to amend the increases to only a 25% raise this year, followed by 15% next year and another 15% in 2016.

Stolz says despite the fact the original increase was called unaffordable by ratepayers, the lower rate will end up costing more by 2016.

“At the end of the three years the rates will be higher for most of the off street parking,” he says.