Paid Parking is coming to Downtown Benton Harbor.
This comes after a 5-3-1 vote will now allow the city to add two touchscreen kiosks to certain areas of the city due to popular parking demands.
City Commissioners tell residents this is a way to increase revenue throughout Benton Harbor.
Maintenance has been what Benton Harbor city commissioners say has been a topic of discussion lately.
Now, city commissioners may have just found that answer.
A packed house at Benton Harbor City Hall as city commissioners voting to install two touch screen kiosks in downtown Benton Harbor.
Monday's Consent Calendar includes a resolution to allow parking kiosks around town.
One Commissioner we spoke with says this is good for the community.
Juanita Henry, Benton Harbors 3rd Ward Commissioner, says
"I am totally in agreement that that we need to create some revenue in downtown is definitely a downtown for dreams so my thought is about it we did not target the right parking lot, we should target the parking lot that is being used the most right now."
The estimated cost of the two kiosks is around $8,000.
One will be in the parking lot at Water and Main Streets and two lots on Territorial Road.
Another Kiosk will be in the lot at 6th and Main, and one next to Vincent Place.
Benton Harbor's general fund is expected to pay for the changes, while the city also expects recouping parking fees.
Not everyone supports the plan, with one commissioner calling it a barrier to the public and says she's left with more questions than answers.
Ethel Clark-Griffin, Benton Harbors 4th Ward Commissioner, says
"Tonight I was against the parking, the paid parking because I think it's going to be a barrier to the business owners and customers, even the residents. It was so vague what we got it wasn't going to stay if the residents were going to be charged or not. Most of these businesses that I have got to know over the years, and they are small businesses, they are already struggling they already have problems with parking for themselves and their customers. And I think its going to create a financial hardship for them."
City officials say you could start seeing parking kiosks in downtown Benton Harbor as early 2025.