Plans to extend Milwaukee's downtown metered parking to 9pm and Saturdays being debated

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Right now, parking is free downtown after 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, but time is ticking on how long that could be the case after the Common Council unanimously approved a proposal to make changes.

"A couple of months ago, the Department of Public Works brought forward a plan to extend meter hours in downtown on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then to extend meter hours to all of Saturday when previously it had been free for like 30 years," said District 4 Alderman Robert Bauman.

Bauman says he was told that area businesses and residents supported the plan for downtown parking policy changes.

"The argument made by Public Works is that by increasing meter hours you would in fact increase the availability of parking because there'd be more turnover," said Bauman. There is also an argument that it would increase revenue for the city.

The proposal went before the Common Council last Tuesday and was approved. "All of a sudden, I started getting calls. What's going on? We never heard anything about this," said Bauman.

Now, Bauman wants to hold off on making any changes to make way for more public feedback.

Some downtown visitors told CBS 58 that if a night out in the area gets more expensive, they may reconsider making the trip.

"You already pay enough if you're going out, you're going to eat, get a few drinks and to pay for parking just adds to that," said Denise Loveridge. Many others we spoke to didn't even know about the possible changes.

In addition to public feedback, Bauman says the potential revenue increase also needs to be explored.

A public hearing is set for March 9 so both sides can make their case for the council's reconsideration.