AMES, Iowa - Businesses in downtown Ames say fewer customers are coming in, and new parking rate increases are to blame.
In July the city voted to increase parking rates, and some business owners say customers are complaining.
One-hour, four- hour, and ten-hour meters were all increased. The four-hour rate went up to 75-cents, from a quarter last year.
From the city's perspective, the parking rate increase is expected to generate more than $400-thousands dollars a year for the City of Ames.
WHO TV Channel 13 reports downtown businesses are planning a meeting to discuss parking rates on September 6, 2018 at 8 a.m. at City Hall.