Here's what San Diego could charge for Balboa Park parking
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Free parking in Balboa Park is set to become a thing of the past. Photo: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
Paying to park at Balboa Park is on the verge of becoming a reality.
Why it matters: It's a major change for the 14 million local residents and tourists that visit the city's crown jewel each year. The city is relying on parking revenue to help close its budget deficit and pay for park improvements.
Driving the news: City Council is set to vote on the Park and Recreation Department's proposed plan on Monday afternoon.
- If approved, the new parking rates will go into effect Oct. 6.
- The latest proposal rejects some requests by a few council members at the July meeting, including lowering rates, shortening enforcement hours and extending free parking in certain areas.
How it works: The proposal includes three pricing tiers for lots based on demand and proximity to prime destinations in the park, with enforcement from 8am-8pm daily.
- Most lots (Level 1) would have a $12 all-day rate.
- Level 2 and 3 lots would be $6 or half the cost of Level 1.
- The first two hours would be free at the Lower Inspiration Point lot (Level 3).
- The city plans to install meters on park roads and charge $2.50 per hour with a four-hour time limit. Council already approved metered parking on 6th Avenue and Park Boulevard.
Zoom in: Park employees, contractors and registered volunteers actively serving in the park would be able to park for free in Level 2 and 3 lots and along Balboa Drive.
- City residents would get a 50% discount for Level 1 lots, and must be verified through a portal that will be in place in January.
Between the lines: The Zoo's recently amended lease allows it to charge for parking, with lower rates for city residents. Those rates haven't been set yet, but will start in October.
Friction point: People who live in the county won't get discounts.
- "As a person who was born in the City of San Diego, lives about 10 minutes from Downtown but not within the borders of the City, suddenly I'm this total outsider … . I might as well be living in Arizona when it comes to parking," Sue Taylor told Axios.
Follow the money: If approved, the proposal is expected to generate about $10.3 million for the city.
- That's about $785,000 less than the city planned in its approved budget, meaning it will have to make cuts elsewhere to fill the gap.
- The money will be spent on park operations, infrastructure and much-needed maintenance.
What they're saying: People might not be happy about paying, but once they see fixes to things they've been complaining about, "they're going to think it's worth it," mayoral spokesperson Rachel Laing told Axios.