YORK, Pa. — Business owners in Downtown York are rallying together to sign a petition in response to city officials’ proposed parking changes.
The parking plan would impose 24-hour parking fees in city garages six days a week, a move that local businesses fear could significantly impact consumer traffic.
“People are funny about paying for parking,” said Jeff Lau, owner of Mudhook Brewing Company. He explained that most people will avoid paying for parking if they can, even if that means going somewhere else.
“If I can go park for free, why would I pay? There has to be a real motivation,” Lau said.
The new fees would replace the current model where three city-owned garages only charge for parking on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This system has made it easier for patrons to find parking for evening and weekend outings.
Mayor Michael Helfrich has the authority to adjust parking costs under City Ordinance 517.05, but business owners worry that these changes could deter customers.
Local businesses have initiated a petition to challenge the city’s plan stating, “If free parking goes away, we worry that customers will go elsewhere—seeking places where parking is easier and less costly.”
Alex Hammond, owner of the consignment boutique My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe, explained, “With rising costs of everything these days it’s just one more thing for people so even if it becomes a nominal fee, it’s just one more thing that people have to remember before coming downtown.”
Despite the uproar from business owners, the city has not publicly announced the planned changes, and the Mayor’s office was unavailable for comment.
If the fees are implemented, business owners anticipate they will go into effect in January 2025.
With the holiday season approaching, Hammond noted, “We need time to communicate with our customers, everybody has a million and two things going on more than normal right now so it’s going to take a little longer to make sure this communication sticks to our customers.”