Charlottetown merchants upset about downtown parking hike

Some merchants in downtown Charlottetown are upset they weren't consulted about parking fees going up.

The increases were included in last week's city's budget, and see metered parking going up from $1.10 per hour to $1.50.

Parking at the parkades will also cost 15 per cent more, with rate going up to $1.25 per hour.

It's not just the shoppers paying more, it's also the store owners.

Those who hand out tokens for free parking for customers will have to pay the increase out of their own pockets.

"It's something we've been offering for years," said Kim MacKenzie, who owns KC Clothing, and is on the board of Downtown Charlottetown Inc.

"It's always been a program that most of the merchants and even the banks I think have offered them in downtown Charlottetown, so it is a definite cost to the merchants because we have to purchase them from CADC (Charlottetown Area Development Corporation)."

Mackenzie said the board may write a letter to the city to urge councillors to consult with merchants the next time parking fees are increased.

She also said some employees might have second thoughts about working downtown if parking fees increase too much.

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