Parking meter rates in downtown Walnut Creek jumped from $1 to $2 per hour today as the city also moves to a seven-day-a-week metering system in an attempt to free up street parking downtown.
Meters will now be enforced from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Drivers previously only had to pay the meter from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Sundays off. At the same time, the city is offering a free hour of parking for the first hour at city garages.
"The goal is to free up more metered parking, make more spaces available, while at the same time encouraging parking in the city garages," said Matt Huffaker, assistant to the city manager.
The garages at Broadway and at North Locust Street, next to the Lesher Center, will continue to charge 50 cents an hour after the first free hour.
The rate at the city garage at South Locust Street will increase from 50 cents per hour to $1 an hour, with the first hour free.
Drivers can also purchase a new $25 per month parking pass for city garages at www.lazparking.com.
Walnut Creek's metered parking outside of downtown will now cost $1 per hour, up from the previous rate of 50 cents per hour.
-- Bay City News
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