ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 If you park in downtown Orlando, it could soon cost you even more money. The first reading of a new ordinance that would raise rates is set for Monday. <\/p>\n
This comes after the parking division\u2019s study shows that the current parking rates are outdated and not aligned with peer cities. It also shows that by modernizing on and off-street parking prices, it will improve parking availability and turnover. It states it should also enhance the overall experience. <\/p>\n
News 6\u2019s Amy Russo went downtown to talk to drivers about this.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d said Santiago Torres. He has to park downtown on weekdays. He opts to choose the daily parking rate when parking, which is $15 a day. If this change is implemented, it would make it $20 a day. That\u2019s $100 a week. <\/p>\n
\u201cI already pay for parking to go into work. If you think about it, who\u2019s going to want to come and pay for parking to make money,\u201d said Torres.<\/p>\n
As the city is looking to bring more people downtown, Eric Walker says he believes this idea will do the opposite.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would be wise to make it more convenient for people to have a place to park their car so that they can visit more versus making it more expensive, which would drive people away,\u201d said Walker. \u201cIt almost seems like it\u2019s counterproductive in a sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walker actually has a business downtown. He loves it there but says he can\u2019t keep up with the current price of parking. So, he\u2019s being forced to move. He says he doesn\u2019t want to, but has no other option.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt set us back a lot. That is the prime reason why we\u2019re leaving is because parking is just it\u2019s just not working out the way we want it to. We don\u2019t want to,\u201d said Walker.<\/p>\n