Community Corner
Monthly Parking Rate at Chester Street Garage Goes Up $5
The rate increase is due to higher traffic on that side of town, City Engineer Paul O'Meara says.
If you have a monthly pass to park at the , be prepared to shell out a little bit more cash in a few months.
On Monday night, the Birmingham City Commission voted to increase the monthly fee to park at the Chester Street Parking Garage from $30 to $35 a month. The changes go into effect starting June 1.
The rate increase, City Engineer Paul O'Meara said Monday night, is due to a new demand at the garage, driven by several new office buildings on the east side of town, such as the McCann Erickson office on East Maple.
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O'Meara said even though the city's Advisory Parking Committee increased the number of monthly permits sold at the Chester Street Garage in 2011 — from 865 to 940 per month — those 940 have quickly sold out and there is already a waiting list.
Rather than increase the number of monthly permits sold — and risk the structure filling up, leaving no space for temporary parking — the Advisory Parking Committee voted in October 2011 to suggest raising the fee.
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Based on current demand, O'Meara said raising the rate to $35 a month will bring in average of $53,000 in increased revenue every year.
Even at $35 a month, the Chester Street Garage, which was first opened in 1989, is still one of the least expensive in the city:
Note: Parking Lot No. 6 is located on North Old Woodward Avenue, across the street from and is the location of the Birmingham Farmers Market.
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