LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The City of Las Vegas is rescinding parking rate changes that were set to take effect Oct. 1 in the 18b Arts District. City leaders made the announcement Wednesday at Esther’s Kitchen.
Employee parking rates will not rise under the rollback.
City reverses course
Mayor Shelley Berkley and Councilwoman Olivia Diaz announced the changes. The city is scrapping plans to extend paid parking hours to midnight. The city said this was not preferred by most businesses.
The city is also not moving forward with paid parking north of Charleston Boulevard, according to Diaz.
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Employee permit rates held at $10 a month
The city said one of the biggest changes was inspired by feedback it received. Instead of raising employee permits to $30, the city is keeping them at $10 a month. That subsidized rate will extend to the new 500-space Arts District Parking Garage.
“So this is our way to ensure that when things are a little bit rough and difficult to get to here in the arts district, we’re doing our part for the employees that work here,” Diaz said.
The city had previously said parking increases were necessary to help pay for the new $32 million garage.
Tony Chavez, a member of the 18b Arts District Board, said making workers shoulder that cost was the wrong approach.
“Because, again, a lot of the workers in the Arts District only make a minimum wage. I get it that we do need to make money when it comes to parking and things like that. But how we go about that, I think, is very crucial,” Chavez said.
Free lunch parking program preserved
The rollback preserves the free lunch parking program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and extends it into the new parking garage.
“And we get more spaces now because now the parking garage will be another offering for people to come on down during those times and grab lunch or go to their favorite shop or go to their favorite thing to do down here during their lunch hour,” Diaz said.
Reaction from advocates
Chavez said the announcement is a relief for the area’s workforce.
“Overall, it’s definitely what I would say we refer to as baby steps in the right direction,” Chavez said.
“And I won’t deny. I’m like, you got to give credit where it’s due. They definitely really came through for us today when it came to putting a pause on this. To not raise the rates on the employees,” Chavez said.
Chavez said advocates spent nearly a year fighting the initial proposal.
“So, I think that there was a huge outcry that we’ve been fighting for this for a while. So, that’s why, to us, I know that this is such a big deal that it’s like, hey, we’re finally starting to see a shining light. Like, we’re starting to see the silver lining a little bit,” Chavez said.
What’s next
City leaders said there is still interest in a customer parking validation program. The city plans to work with Arts District businesses in the coming months to explore how to roll it out.
The city said it will continue to evaluate parking needs.
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