LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Small business owners are sharing their concerns over parking changes coming to the Arts District in the Fall.
Some believe they will lead to businesses closing in the future because of the negative impact they believe parking fees are having on customers and their employees.
The city says it’s done its part in listening to businesses about their concerns over changes coming at the start of October.
Troy Heard, the artistic director for the Majestic Repertory Theater, in the heart of Main Street, says parking fees are hurting the Arts District.
He says when his business opened in 2016, parking was free.
“I do know it’s having an impact. I hear it from guests,” said Heard.
Robert Gonzales, owner of Koolsville Tattoos, agrees with him.
Both say a majority of customers are from the Vegas Valley.
“The locals, we don’t have a lot of places to go to, here, or Summerlin, Green Valley, maybe to Henderson. We don’t have a lot of places to go. But they don’t charge us like they do here. Just like- it’s like what are we special?” said Gonzales.
Heard and Gonzales believe the situation will become worse when parking changes start in a few weeks.
Starting October 1st:
- Paid Street parking will be from 1 pm until midnight monday through Friday.
- And on weekends from 8 am to midnight.
- Last October, parking rates already increased to about $2 to $4 an hour.
- Employee parking permits will be $20 to $30 a month, in comparison to $10.
“They actually took away free parking from 10 p.m. to midnight, which is when we actually have guests who’ve seen the show, who are going out to the bars or going out to the restaurant hanging out, now having to pay extra,” said Heard.
And on September 29th a new 500-spot parking garage will open charging $3 an hour with a daily maximum of $15.
It costs $25 million and is supposed to help with having limited street parking.
There will also be space for new businesses to lease.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley during a recent press conference saying the city has listened to the community when deciding on the changes.
“If anybody thinks for a minute that the parking fees here are anywhere near comparable to what’s going on in other major cities, I think they need to go there because it was an exorbitant amount of money to park in downtown San Francisco. I don’t want that,” said Berkley on July 2nd.
She said the money goes towards needs of the city.
“That’s how we pay for our parks. That’s how we pay for the parking garage,” said Berkley. “That’s how we pay for anything that improves the quality of life in our city. So we need a little help from the businesses as well.”
But customers are asking for a bit of leeway- at least for Nevadans.
“I understand, again, for tourists, but for the people who make a living off of here, it’s like, well, dang, I have to pay In order to go to work,” said Jaid Hill, a frequent Arts District Customer, whose partner also works at Koolsville Tattoos.
A 10-page open-letter posted by Taverna Costera owner Jeff Hwang that was co-signed by Heard says “By charging locals for parking. We can’t compete with our own city.”
The open letter suggests a solution for locals; non-employee performers, and paying customers can have their parking validated similar to casinos in downtown Las Vegas.
Gonzales says Las Vegans will start looking elsewhere to spend their money if something doesn’t give.
“A lot of people are Ubering, or they’re just not coming down here. So it’s dropped off probably 30, 40% because of the parking,” he said. “Probably within the last year.”