Poll: Will Parking Meter Rates Hurt Downtown?

Starting today parking meter rates in downtown Sarasota will increase from $0.50 to $1 an hour.

The rate increase is part of the . The meters were originally installed in May but after they said their businesses were failing because of the parking meters.

The rates will adjust again May 1 – October 31 of 2012 back to $0.50 an hour during 'off season'. The seasonal rates were proposed by the downtown business owners during a summer city commission meeting.

Meters along side streets in downtown, such as State Street, Coconut and Gulf Stream, were moved to the judicial center along Ringling Avenue.