'I'm barely making it': Residents react to downtown San Diego parking changes

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Big changes are coming to parking in downtown San Diego, and for many who live or visit the East Village, it could hit the wallet hard.

Starting Sept. 1, the City of San Diego says meter rates will increase to $10 an hour near Petco Park during Padres games and other major events. The surge pricing will apply to metered spots within a half-mile of the stadium, kicking in two hours before an event and lasting until four hours after it starts.

For residents like Autumn Atherton, who lives and works in East Village, the new fees feel like a financial blow.

"I'm barely making it. On a Saturday when I can't find parking, that's like 30 bucks," she told FOX 5/KUSI.

Atherton lives in a building without assigned or underground parking, relying entirely on the street. With meters jumping to $10 an hour, she says it's becoming impossible to afford.

"That’s an extra 40 bucks a day I’m going to have to pay just to park after work," she said.

Small Businesses Worry, City Pushes Forward

It’s not just residents raising concerns. Some small business owners say the new pricing could drive customers away.

"Nobody’s going to pay an extra $10 just to buy a $30 bag of dog food," one business owner said. "If you drive around, there are already a bunch of empty retail spaces. Now there’ll just be one more."

Despite the pushback, the City of San Diego says the changes won’t hurt local businesses. In a statement, the mayor’s office said:

"The City analyzed parking usage during special events and found near 100 percent utilization of meters within one mile of Petco Park. These spots will likely be full regardless, so there would be minimal impact on local businesses."

More Parking Reforms Coming

The event-zone pricing is just one part of a broader package of parking reforms passed in June. The plan also extends meter hours citywide until 10 p.m., including Sundays, a major change for drivers who are used to free weekend parking.

"Everyone knows Sunday is free parking downtown," one resident said. "Now we have to pay every day, it’s too much."

The city says the revenue will go toward improvements in the area and easing traffic, but many residents are skeptical.

"It’s not our fault the city doesn’t know how to budget. I shouldn’t be paying for that," Atherton said.

What’s Next

Crews will begin installing around 400 new signs over the next two weeks. The mayor’s office says it is also working to expand the city’s residential parking pass program to include East Village, but that change likely won’t happen until early next year.