Nowakowski Proposes Higher Rates for Buffalo Parking Meters

The maximum hourly rate for downtown parking is currently $2 per hour. The proposed rates could potentially cost drivers up to $5 per hour, said city parking commissioner Raymond Wagner.

Additionally, metered parking is now generally free after 5 p.m. in downtown areas. Under the proposal, motorists would have to pay to park at meters until 10 p.m., except on Sundays and holidays.

The tiered rates would apply to a “significant” portion of downtown, Nowakowski said.

“The goal is to improve traffic flow, ensure adequate parking for residents and businesses and improve overall parking management in these busy urban areas,” he said.

The administration is working to identify the precise locations, Wagner said.

The amendment to the ordinance was introduced at the Council meeting on Tuesday. It has been sent to the Council’s Legislation Committee for further discussion.

“This is just the very first step in setting a rate. Then we figure out where to charge those rates, let the public know when and where we’ll start charging, and what that means for their downtown commute and their wallet,” Wagner said. “We’ll also likely have to put up signage and work with our new software provider, ParkMobile, to include that rate schedule in their app and GPS.”

Below is one of the proposed price scales:

$2 for the first hour or two.

$5 for hours seven, eight and nine.

The other proposed rate schedule is the same, except it would charge $3.50 for hours six and seven and $4 for hours eight and nine.