San Diego residents and visitors have a new option to pay for parking at Balboa Park as the city gets ready to start charging fees at its lots in January.
The big picture: The new paid parking plan is a key part of the city’s effort to close its budget gap, but the projected revenue keeps shrinking because of delayed timelines and reduced rates.
Driving the news: The San Diego City Council voted 6-3 to approve annual, quarterly and monthly parking passes at its meeting Tuesday.
- City staff made the prices cheaper than planned for residents after facing significant pushback from local organizations who draw frequent visitors and volunteers for regularly scheduled activities.
Zoom in: City residents can pay $150 for annual passes, $60 for quarterly passes, and $30 for monthly passes. For visitors, the passes cost $300, $120 and $40, respectively.
- Special events parking rates for organizations will be $5 or $8 per space.
- Daily rates, which were set in September, will range from $5-$8 for city residents and $10-$16 for non-residents, depending on the lot.
- Metered street parking will cost $2.50 per hour with a $10 daily maximum.
- The Lower Inspiration Point lot will have the first three hours of parking free.
Between the lines: City residents will be verified through an online portal, and discounts will not apply to people living elsewhere in the county.
- Park volunteers and staff can get permits for free parking.
Follow the money: The revenue generated will be spent on park services, maintenance and infrastructure, per the city…