Downtown Tucson parking rates increase from $1 to $1.50 per hour as city seeks to fill Park Tucson budget deficit

City approves parking rate hike to address maintenance issues

The Tucson mayor and city council unanimously approved a proposal on Tuesday to increase downtown parking rates as part of an effort to close Park Tucson's budget deficit while addressing ongoing maintenance and safety concerns.

The plan was discussed during a study session on Thursday afternoon and approved during a vote later that day. During the study session, the plan drew generally positive feedback from representatives who said it strikes a balance between the city's parking system and the local businesses.

What is changing

The proposal will increase the metered parking rate from $1 to $1.50 per hour. Garage and surface lot rates will increase to $1.25 per hour, and flat rates and residential permits will also go up, all beginning July 1.

City leaders emphasized that while prices will rise, the days and hours when parking is paid will remain the same. That was a key adjustment after pushback from downtown business owners concerned that expanded paid hours and higher rates could discourage visitors.

Park Tucson estimates the changes would generate about $636,000 to help reduce its deficit.

City leaders cite repairs and safety

Mayor and council members said they don't want to wait another decade to adjust pricing, especially as Park Tucson faces ongoing maintenance issues. Officials said about 30% of parking meters are broken, and some parking garages are run down.

Councilmembers stressed that new revenue should be reinvested into parking infrastructure, an upgrade they say could help both businesses and downtown employees, some of whom have expressed concerns about safety when walking long distances to their vehicles.

The Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility also told officials the city's parking rates are currently lower than those in similarly sized cities, and the city is working on efforts to designate more parking options for downtown employees.

Downtown businesses warn of fewer customers

For some business owners, parking is already a hurdle.

Rachel D'Acquisto, owner of Ray Ray's Sonoran Spirit Tea, described how parking issues ripple across the downtown economy.

"At myself, for employees, for patrons," D'Acquisto said, describing the challenges.

James Owens, co-owner of Brick Box Brewery, which is surrounded by metered spaces, said higher rates could create new challenges.

"The challenges that these changes will present are going to be a little bit more difficult for us to get by," Owens said, adding that businesses are trying to protect their bottom line.

"People will start to choose other areas for entertainment and dining," D'Acquisto warned.

Marissa Vespera, general manager of Aquamarine Daydream, a crystal and gemstone shop in the historic Fourth Avenue District, said parking frustrations are a daily complaint.

"It's just another layer of unfortunateness that we and our customers have to go through in order to come down here," Vespera said.

Vespera added that she hopes to see improvements if the city increases the rates.

"I really hope to see some improvements made if they do end up increasing the rates," Vespera said. "I hope to see that reflected in the avenue and the space."

Park Tucson said increased revenue would help fix broken meters and improve safety, but some businesses remain skeptical.

The mayor and city council also voted through the Heart of Tucson initiative, a measure aimed at promoting mobility as downtown continues to grow.