Citywide 50¢ hourly hike will raise University Hill rates; 14th Street permit pilot has sold eight of 35

On Nov. 4, city staff briefed the University Hill Area Management Commission on 2026 parking-rate changes that will affect University Hill and surrounding lots.

Sam Bromberg, city staff, told commissioners that “parking rates across the entire city are going at 50¢ per hour, so that's completely citywide. This was approved by city council as part of the budget process.” She said that change will move existing on-street University Hill blocks from $1.50 to $2.00 per hour and raise the 14th Street surface lot from $2.00 to $2.50 per hour.

Bromberg also reported on a pilot commuter-permit program for the 14th Street surface lot. “As of today, there are 8 permits sold. We were offering up to 35,” she said, adding the program has limits of one permit per individual and two per business. The permits are $75 per month and, Bromberg said, peak occupancy for that lot is around midday. She said downtown garages will be priced about $170 per month next year, which keeps University Hill pricing lower than downtown overall.

Commissioners asked why permit uptake was low and whether the program had been actively marketed. Bromberg said initial outreach included the Hill newsletter and a webpage, but that continuous marketing would require staff time and resources. She also said the city did not follow its usual performance-based pricing protocol for 2026 because the budget team identified parking pricing as “a lever to help address some of the budget shortfalls.” Bromberg said a normal performance report on demand will still be delivered to council and commissions at year end.

The presentation and the commission’s questions emphasized three practical points: the approved budget-level decision to raise rates citywide, the pilot permit program’s low sales so far (8 of 35), and the suspension of the usual demand-based pricing adjustments for 2026 because of budget needs.

The commission did not take formal action on parking pricing at the meeting; staff said further reporting and the annual occupancy report will return to the commission and then to council.