Raleigh leaders rethinking downtown parking fees?
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The City of Raleigh offers free parking in any of the city's parking garages on nights and weekends, but that's slated to change at the end of the year - or is it?
This past summer, the Raleigh City Council voted to charge $5 to park at downtown garages nights and weekends after December 31st.
RELATED: Downtown Raleigh will no longer provide free parking
The change came after concerns about parking garages often getting trashed with the budding downtown nightlife, and city maintenance crews left to clean up the mess.
The fees would generate funds to pay for contracted cleaning services and to pay for repairs.
However, downtown business owners have said they are worried it will hurt business by deterring customers and costing employees.
The city is now looking at six alternative plans and will discuss the options at Tuesday's city council meeting.
