Move over Chicago. Parking rates just increased to a whopping $1.33 per hour in the center of America’s 15th largest city. It wouldn’t be surprising to see major corporations start folding now with unaffordable prices like this. How could anyone possibly afford to work downtown?
CONSTRUCTION ZONE
Parking is pricier at City Center garages
Monday, February 11, 2008 6:26 AM
By Mike Pramik
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The days of parking at Columbus City Center at bargain rates are over.For nearly two decades, the garage’s owner, Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corp., charged $1 for the first three hours in the malls’ two garages. The low rate was meant to encourage shopping at the Downtown mall.A few years ago, the three-hour rate was increased to $2 for the garage under City Center.Then, on Tuesday, plenty of drivers got a surprise.Standard Parking, the company that Capitol South recently hired to run the garages, raised hourly prices overnight last week. It eliminated the low rates in favor of higher charges, which it thinks the market will bear. The first three hours now cost $5 in the garage under the mall and $4 for the Rich Street garage.
The article doesn’t mention it, but the prices for the main garage don’t start at $4. It’s $2 for one hour, $3 for two hours, and $4 for three hours.
So if you’re in need of a spot to park for less than an hour, you’re only dropping $2. Still not bad. Some meters cost around that much.
The full article does mention the monthly price, which is $165. That is pricey, but not atypical for a CBD. I think that’s the kind of parking rate that would encourage people to consider a $45 monthly local bus pass or a $62 monthly express bus pass.
I appreciate this post. I am going to the ballet tonight and wanted to know how much it cost to park at the City Center parking garage on Rich St. Thanks!