Willow Glen Resident
News
Free downtown parking hits a dead end and will cost drivers $5
By Eli Segall
San Jose residents accustomed to free parking in downtown garages may now find themselves reaching for their wallets.
The San Jose City Council on June 12 approved a six-month pilot program that charges drivers $5 to park after 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in five city-owned parking garages starting July 1.
As part of the vote, the council approved a separate $2 charge for the garages on weekdays after 6 p.m., effective Jan. 1.
The $5 fee is part of the enhanced security plan proposed by the city's Downtown Parking Board to crack down on drinking, drug use, fights and lewd behavior in the garages, city and police officials say.
The fee is expected to generate $420,000 to procure new security cameras, pay overtime to San Jose police officers to patrol the structures and launch enhanced cleaning and maintenance service. The plan also calls for closing entry to the garages after 1 a.m.
"[These] elements of the plan can't be supported without the $5 charge," said parking board vice chairwoman Elizabeth Monley.
Some business owners say the fee may have unintended consequences and chase customers to free parking locales such as downtown Los Gatos or Santana Row.
"The lightning rod has been the $5 charge," said Councilman Sam Liccardo, who represents downtown.
"I would be a little annoyed by the $5," said Willow Glen resident Bobby Buchser.
The fee unfairly targets nightclub patrons, who arrive downtown late in the evening, he said.
Some residents, though, were fine with the fee after learning that the money will be used for improved security.
"It makes sense," said Jennie Santiago. "The fact that it's going toward our safety is important."
Santiago, who uses the Market Street garage a few times per month, said she'll factor in the $5 parking fee to her expenses for dinner.
Security at city-owned garages has been a problem for years, according to city officials. Crimes include loitering, theft and vandalism, San Jose deputy police chief Dan Katz said. Since January, there have been nearly 150 arrests at the Market Street garage alone, he added.
The five structures included in the security plan are located at Market and San Carlos streets; the Convention Center; Third and St. John streets; Second and San Carlos streets; and Fouth and San Fernando streets.
The $2 weeknight fee, which will rise $1 per year until 2011 when it stops at $5, applies to the same structures with some exceptions. It is part of the downtown parking board's Parking Management Plan, which also included new monthly rates and discounts. This plan will generate $1.29 million to $1.47 million annually, according to city figures.
