Provo has offered limited overnight parking outside of the Provo City Library to Old Academy residents who are waitlisted for or cannot afford underground parking through the apartment complex.

Compared to underground offerings, there are 3 main downsides. First, it's outdoors/uncovered. Second, parking spots are not specifically assigned or reserved, therefore your spot is not 100% guaranteed. Finally, those with permits are only allowed to park there from 8 pm-10 am.

Previously, this permit has been offered for $50/semester (4-month period), a reasonable price for a parking spot with the above limitations. The price was just raised to $200/semester. That is 4x the old price and $20 more per month than most underground options that don't have the above limitations.

The explanation given for the price increase was "The price hasn’t gone up in years so it is appropriate have an increase at this time." When asked how the new price was determined, it became evident that the new Parking Program Manager simply set an arbitrary and capricious number.  

Such a price increase does not embody the Provo parking vision statement to "develop a superior, customer‐oriented parking system." It seems especially egregious to enact such prices on a population segment (college students) who already struggle to make ends meet prior to joining the workforce full-time.

We petition the city to offer an affordable price that accurately matches the value of the offering.