LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A ten-page open letter from Arts District businesses calls for the City to pivot from their recently-announced plan for parking fees, dubbing the changes “taxation without representation” and arguing the majority of locals and businesses do not want it.
FOX5 told you about the planned parking fee changes, announced at a June 23 Town Hall.
Starting October 1:
- Free parking Monday to Friday, 12 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Free parking north of Charleston Blvd. continues until January
- Sept. 29: Arts District Parking Garage with 500 spots opens, charges $3 an hour with $15 max
- Employee parking permits will be $20-30 a month (up from $10)
MORE ON FOX5: More free hours for Arts District Parking starting this fall
“The changes were determined after hearing from residents, artists, employees, business owners and property owners in the Arts District. This is a broad range of folks with different requests and interests when it comes to parking,” a city spokesperson tells FOX5 noting that many people at the town hall noted that they liked the changes being implemented. Some businesses do note that the hours benefit businesses like coffee shops or breakfast spots.
A lengthy open letter posted on social media has been shared around 700 times and has more than 90,000 views. It was co-signed by Taverna Costera, Majestic Theatre and DTLV.
Taverna Costera owner Jeff Hwang is among others who point out, although the City did offer more free hours, the bulk of visitors to the arts district– evening customers– will now have to pay more than they have, before, during prime hours of 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
“This is a night district. We have nightclubs, bars, restaurants. Basically, they gave us the morning where nobody’s here and started trying to extend the paid parking at night,” Hwang tells FOX5.
Many workers have voiced frustrations on social media that they will be forced to pay even more money for a parking permit while making minimum wage.
“It’s kind of bizarre because it doesn’t actually benefit anybody… it doesn’t address the concerns of the residents at all,” Hwang said.
Hwang and others are calling for the city to pivot from the plans before October 1.
Mayor Shelley Berkley weighed in on the new concerns during her recent press conference, stating the city has worked extensively to address locals’ concerns with many meetings.
“We have to pay for parking. Nothing I love, but I think the city has worked so closely with the people in the Arts District. Many, many meetings,” Berkley said. “We’ve addressed all of the issues. I am sure that there will be people that will be unhappy, no matter what you do,” she said.
Berkley stated that she doesn’t like to pay for parking, either, but notes the need for parking revenue.
“That’s how we pay for the parking garage. That’s how we pay for anything that improves the quality of life in our city. So we need a little help from the businesses as well to understand why no one’s trying to fleece anyone,” she said, noting that street parking does cost far more in cities like San Francisco; that’s where many residents do rely on public transit or have no cars.
City officials urge residents to view parking updates online on their blog.
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