New parking deck rates get good reviews
Fees now set at 75 cents per hour with first two hours free
Thursday marked the first day that Royal Oak changed fees it charges motorists who use the parking decks downtown.
Rates around the clock are now set at 75 cents an hour, with the first two hours free.
Previously, the city charged a flat rate of $5 for all parking after 5 p.m. at the four downtown decks. The lower by- the- hour rates and free parking time used to be in place only before 5 p.m.
City commissioners changed the fee rate at the request of the Downtown Development Authority.
Consequences of the earlier $5 fee affected everyone from library patrons to retail and restaurant patrons.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” Royal Oak Library Director Emily Dumas said of the new parking rate.
The seven-level parking deck on 11 Mile Road is next door to the library.
Paying $5 to park no matter
how little time you needed created a real barrier for library patrons and others visiting downtown.
“In the mornings when they had the two free hours we were busy,” Dumas said. “But it would really drop off in the evening hours.”
Family and adult programs at the library start in the evenings well after 5 p.m. and last about an hour.
“Five dollars was a lot for someone who just wanted to pick up or drop off a book or show up for our programs,” Dumas said.
Having uniform parking fees at decks is a positive development, said Sean Kammer, DDA manager.
“I think the change is responsive to comments we’ve received over the years,” he said.
Before that change, the evening flat fee discouraged downtown patrons who wanted to stop by the Farmers Market, the library, retailers and fast casual restaurants.
“It was understandable to pay $5 if you were seeing a show or going out to dinner,” Kammer said. “However, on a Tuesday night, say, if you wanted to stop to eat a sandwich, the parking feewas disproportionate to the amount of money you were spending downtown.”
The new lower timed rate should be good for visitors and businesses, said Shelly Kemp, executive director of the Greater Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce.
“I think itmakesus a littlemore competitivewith” downtowns in neighboring cities, she said. “I did hear that the $5 flat fee made quick trips very difficult for people after 5 p.m. I hope that people take advantage of the new rate.”
“Itwasunderstandable topay $5if youwere seeing a showor goingout todinner. However, ona Tuesdaynight, say, if youwanted to stop to eat a sandwich, the parking feewas disproportionate tothe amount ofmoney youwere spending downtown.”
— Sean Kammer, DDA manager