Dallas to raise parking rates, introduce windshield "barnacles" for unpaid tickets – CBS News

Dallas to raise parking rates, introduce windshield “barnacles” for unpaid tickets  CBS News

Several parking changes are coming to downtown Dallas in the next few months, including higher rates at some parking meters and new windshield immobilizers for vehicles with unpaid parking tickets, known as "barnacles."At Le Bon Temps Beignets and Coffee in Deep Ellum, business has been tough. Manager Mary Bates worries that higher parking rates could make things more challenging for local businesses."We've been struggling here. It's been really hot, and then there's that construction going on right there as well," Bates said. "It's going to be hard on my pocket as someone who works around here. People are going to realize 'Oh my gosh, I have to pay $1.25 an hour to hang out around here.'"Starting Oct.

15, it will cost a quarter more per hour to park in Deep Ellum, and meters will be in effect from 7 a.m. to midnight. In a recent memo, Assistant City Manager Dev Rastogi said the changes are designed to support parking availability, reduce congestion, and improve curb access.In a statement on Wednesday, a city spokesperson said, "By ordinance, parking rates are set based on occupancy. The city reviews occupancy of paid parking spaces to evaluate rates for its meters. Parking meter rates help manage traffic flow by encouraging turnover of parking spaces. These rates help the city meet its goals of keeping