Akron is eliminating some free parking at its downtown garages.
Starting Monday, people will no longer be able to park an hour for free at the city’s eight parking decks.
People will pay $1 for the first 30 minutes and $2 for the first hour, the city announced Thursday.
Akron also will begin charging a flat rate of $2 to park in the decks after 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It previously was free after that time.
The parking garages will remain free Friday nights, Saturdays, Sundays and on holidays.
The city has nearly 6,600 spaces at the decks, which are scattered around downtown.
The goal is to raise revenue for maintenance and repairs, and it’s not a money-making move for the city, said James Hardy, chief of staff for Mayor Dan Horrigan.
The city has estimated that the new rates will raise an additional $158,451 a year.
Hardy noted that the Akron rates remain reasonable compared to other cities.
The city has no immediate plans to extend the additional charge to the weekend, he said.
Several people who parked Thursday in the O’Neil’s deck across from Canal Park weren’t discouraged by the upcoming change.
“Honestly, $2 isn’t bad,” said Erin Bivens, who came downtown to attend a RubberDucks baseball game with her family.
Her husband Nic Bivens, though, said $2 adds up over time. He also questioned whether people will see any improvements in the garages.
“The proof is in the pudding,” he said.
Monthly parking rates will remain the same, the city said. And water customers parking in the CitiCenter deck on South High Street will continue to receive one-hour parking validation.
A Blue Ribbon Task Force appointed by Horrigan had recommended earlier this year that the city try to make its parking decks more self-sustainable.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.