Balboa Park Parking Won’t Bring in as Much Money as Expected

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote on parking passes for Balboa Park, a staff report says the paid parking plan could result in a budgetary shortfall of $9.6 million. 

Excluding zoo parking fees, city staff now believe paid parking could bring in $2.9 million from January, when the city plans to begin charging, to the end of the fiscal year on June 30. It’s unclear where negotiations with the zoo stand.

That’s a significant decrease from earlier estimates.

This summer we reported Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo parking fees could generate more than $15 million if the city could start charging by Oct. 1. Since then, delayed timelines and reduced parking rates at the behest of angry residents and councilmembers has significantly shrunk the projected revenue.

The latest budget projections come as the San Diego City Council will consider a proposal for parking passes at Balboa Park. These include annual, quarterly, and monthly passes.

Earlier this month, city staff proposed a $300 annual parking pass for residents. Unsurprisingly, the backlash was swift. So, city staff slashed the amount by half. 

Other options include $30 a month or $60 quarterly pass for residents. Out-of-towners, however, would be shelling out the most on parking. Non-residents would pay $40 monthly or could pay $120 quarterly. They could also pay $300 for an annual pass.

If approved, people will be able to sign up for passes starting Jan. 5. The Council will also vote on rates for special events parking.  

The post Balboa Park Parking Won’t Bring in as Much Money as Expected appeared first on Voice of San Diego.