Iowa City increases parking rates for first time in 11 years

For the first time since 2013, the cost of street parking, city ramp parking and parking tickets all will see an increase for drivers in Iowa City.

The Iowa City Council unanimously approved the rate increases Tuesday night. The increases will go into effect July 1, according to a city news release.

The cost for city parking ramps now will be $2 per hour, a $1 increase. Parking meter rates for the central business district will be $3 per hour, up from $1.50.

Metered parking areas outside the central business district were 75 cents or $1 per hour, depending on location. Now, these areas will be $1.50 per hour.

Parking ticket fees also will be increased, including fees for an expired meter. The first expired meter offense is a warning. But then each subsequent offense comes with a cost. The new fees for an expired parking meter are:

Changes also will be made to the city’s first-hour free parking in city parking ramps. This discount now will be extended to the Chauncey Swan Ramp and the Harrison Street Ramp, which did not previously have the discount, the release states.

According to the city’s website, first-hour free parking currently is offered in the Dubuque Street, Capitol Street and Tower Place parking garages as well as the Court Street Transportation Center.

The rate increases were needed as maintenance costs for the city’s parking ramps have increased over the last 11 years, the news release states. At an April 16 City Council meeting, City Manager Geoff Fruin said the city is anticipating some major repair and maintenance projects coming up for city parking structures.

The city’s parking fund is intended to cover its operating and capital expenses by generating its own revenue, Tuesday’s City Council agenda states. The increase will help build the parking fund’s cash balance and avoid taking on debt, the agenda states.

Parking revenues are projected to increase by about $3 million a year because of the increases, the agenda states. Additionally, transit revenue for the Court Street Transportation Center Ramp is expected to increased by $160,000, and general fund revenues are expected to increase by $150,000.

The increase also will help fund enhanced cleaning services for the city’s parking ramps and downtown area, the agenda states. And it will help fund the city’s fare-free bus transit program, the agenda states, which now is being covered with a federal grant.

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