Downtown parking rates have not changed in decades.
Investments in downtown security, free on-street parking, and large capital investment in the garages (e.g. steam heat conversion) have significantly impacted the Parking Fund reserves. In order to continue the positive momentum downtown by maintaining important parking services, several parking rate changes have been proposed.

The proposed rate changes are available for public review and comments will be collected through September 14, 2012. Proposed parking rate changes include: 

• Increase on-street meter rates to from $0.75 per hour $1.00 per hour.
• Increase off-street (garages & lots) rates from $0.75 per hour to $1.00 per hour.
• Increase off-street (garages & lots) daily parking from $3.50 to $6.00 all day.
• Increase the campus meter rates from $1.50 per hour to $1.70 per hour

These rate changes align with the current rates charged at downtown garages and parking lots owned by Lane County which are $1.00 per hour and $6.00 per day (some locations charge $2 for the first hour). The new rates are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 24, 2012.

The program will continue to reinvest parking dollars where they are collected to benefit downtown. Parking Services will also continue to:

• Maintain the 1st Hour Free program in the Parcade and Overpark Garages and free parking in evenings, weekends, and holidays; 
• Maintain and promote the downtown business validation program; and 
• Extend 12-block, on-street free parking through the holiday season (January 3, 2013).