Parking is a big topic downtown. At Wednesday's administrative meeting, the city commission heard more on the state of parking in Helena, including potential increases to downtown hourly parking rates.

“That would be a terrible idea,” resident Melissa Case said. “I think nickel and dimming folks to park downtown is gonna hurt small businesses. Increasing that is just gonna mean I think less people come downtown, and that I just think is gonna really damage the downtown corridor, and I think we can do better.”

Watch the video here: Helena civic leaders debate parking fees

City staff presented to the commission the potential of an hourly increase from $1 to $1.25 and an increase to monthly and annual permits. Additionally, it included an increase in violation fees for expired time or p

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