Get ready to pay more for parking in Chula Vista; City approves an increase
Well, folks, the Chula Vista City Council has done it again. Last month, they decided to squeeze a little more out of our wallets by hiking parking meter rates in the Downtown Parking District by 25 cents. Starting January 2, 2025, you’ll be paying 75 cents an hour for two-hour and four-hour meters and 50 cents an hour for 10-hour meters. For reference, it used to be 50 cents and 25 cents, respectively, but apparently, those days are over.
The First Increase Since 2007 (Not That It Makes It Any Better)
This is the first increase since 2007—yeah, 2007! I guess they figured it was time to catch up, but at least they’re bragging about how these are still some of the cheapest parking rates in San Diego County. I’m sure that’ll be a real comfort when you’re fumbling for change or figuring out how to pay with these new-fangled smart meters. I still haven’t gotten the hang of it. As long as they don’t take away the ability to plop in coins, I’m ok with them. I’m not sticking my credit card in a machine just to pay fifty cents.
In case you missed the Chula Vista newsletter, you can find the PDF they sent with more details on the rate increase here.
Parking Spots: Free? Good Luck
Oh, and in case you didn’t know, the Downtown Parking District offers 1,500 parking spots, about half of which are free. Big whoop, right? If you’re wondering where this district is, it’s boxed in by E Street to the north, Del Mar Avenue to the east, Garrett Avenue to the west, and H Street to the south. Good luck finding one of those free spots. Street parking has been worse around the downtown area ever since they started charging for parking.
Why the Hike? The City’s Explanation
Why the hike, you ask? Well, the City claims it needed more funds to operate and maintain the shiny new meters it recently installed. They also want to beautify the streets, repaint curbs, update signs, and meet ADA parking standards. This sounds noble, sure, but it still means we’re footing the bill. I’m still trying to figure out how much ACE Parking is getting out of the deal.
The Consultant and Their “Brilliant” Plan
Apparently, they brought in a consultant back in 2022 to tell them what they already knew: people like convenience. This consultant developed a parking management plan, which the City Council approved in September 2022. One recommendation was to install smart meters with card and contactless payment options. These little gadgets showed up on Third Avenue in October 2023. It’s fancy stuff, but let’s not pretend it doesn’t cost us in the end.
Progress? Or Just More of the Same?
So there you have it: higher rates, smarter meters, and a city council that’s convinced this is progress. Meanwhile, we’re just trying to park without breaking the bank. I have lived in this community for a long time and remember when parking along Third Avenue was free.
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