Will it cost more to park in Grand Rapids in 2023? That depends on where and when you’re leaving your car.
The city has nearly doubled its day-time, half-hour rate in eight of its parking garages downtown. The cost rising from $1.25 to $2 at most locations.
Flat rates for surface parking lots also increased.
This is the first parking rate change since 2016. Mobile GR Director, Josh Naramore, told WGVU the price hike was needed to keep up with rising operational costs.
“Things cost more than they did seven years ago. So, the city is trying to increase some of our revenue line items to help defray and offset some of those costs," he explained. "We are a self-funded operation so all of the money we get to pay for all of our staffing costs and all of our infrastructure and our maintenance, that all has to come from the fees that we charge to customers."
Grand Rapids’ evening, event and monthly parking prices haven’t changed. The cost of street parking also remains the same. Naramore, said these make up the bulk of Mobile GR's parking business.
“Parking is very personal, so for each individual in may impact you...but we’ve just been trying to reenforce to people that there’s a lot of different ways you can consume services, based on what is your price point," he explained.
City officials greenlit the rate changes in 2022 but held off on implementing them until the new year to allow for pandemic recovery. The city also took this time to notify local businesses who could be impacted.
