Watch CBS News

Downtown San Jose Parking Garage Rates Expected To Increase

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - It appears very likely that the price of parking at downtown San Jose garages is headed higher. A proposal was being floated to raise rates by between 25% and 33%.

The San Jose Redevelopment Agency has gone broke and the agency's inability to pay the debt on San Jose's five public garages means the city now has to take over the payments.

Still, most users were told they wouldn't feel much impact from changes in parking rates.

"The majority of users in our parking garages are either employees of companies who are paying fixed rates or in fact people who have free parking as a result of the validation program that we've had in place for many years," explained councilman Sam Liccardo, who represents San Jose's downtown neighborhood. "And validation will now become quite a bit easier as a result of these changes."

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Businesses, however, have expressed concern that the parking fee hike will drive people to other areas of town.

The new rates were expected to take effect on July 1st, assuming they are first formally approved by the City Council in mid-June.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.