This Spring if you come downtown for special events like a Grizzlies game or concert you may have to park on the street.
Memphis City Council Chairman Berlin Boyd proposed an amendment to the downtown parking meter ordinance. To help trim the city’s $52 million budge deficit Chairman Boyd wants to start an on-street parking fee of $10 after 6:00 p.m. for special events.
“And that will only be the charge for any areas where there are kiosk where you go centralized area put your credit card in, print a ticket out put that ticket in your window. At the regular head meters you will still pay the regular $1.25 rate,” Boyd said.
Boyd says it’s paramount to find additional revenue for the city.
“I think it’s low hanging fruit it’s something that other cities have been doing for a long period and it something that we need to do,” Boyd explained.
This idea isn’t going over too well with people who live downtown.
“I feel like there’s nothing wrong with charging people to park but $10 as a flat fee is a little high and what if you just had to stop and drop in somewhere for half an hour,” said Natalie Pettey who in the South Main district.
Some Memphians want the city to look at other options.
“I understand them wanting to cut the deficit but for people who are not down here often that’s one of the things that you feel good about you can just come down here park for free so I can’t lie that would be a little bit of a deterrent,” said Crystal Martin.
The parking proposal will be on the agenda at the next council meeting in March.
