Downtown Des Moines parking rates will increase up to 50 percent in the next three years, largely to pay off debt from past garage construction, under a recommendation to the City Council.

The plan would also require taxpayers to pump another $5 million into the system, which city leaders say has fallen into poor financial shape since the last rate increase four years ago.

The daily cost to park in the city-owned ramp near Fourth Street and Grand Avenue, for example, would gradually be pushed from $5 to $7.50. Many parking meter rates would rise over time from $1 per hour to $1.25.

DesMoinesRegister.com

Let’s go over this plan; in order to payoff debt for constructing new parking garages the rates in those garages and others around the Des Moines metro will increase their rates. Seems logical too me! Paying off the debt is a good thing.

Some business owners say the increases will stall downtown development and cripple blossoming retail districts, such as the East Village.

“They’re Nazis,” said Tim Rypma, who co-owns several buildings in the village. “You miss it by 10 minutes, and you’ve got a ticket. I understand it’s a tight market, but you don’t see meters all over West Des Moines.”

Somehow I doubt a quarter increase in hourly parking rates is going to cause business in the East Village to decline.