Out-of-town visitors with money burning a hole in their pockets are catching a break from the City of Buffalo. Free and discounted parking is being offered at City-owned facilities to fans attending the NCAA Tournament this weekend. While City-owned ramps are at capacity due to regular parkers during the day Friday, the HSBC and Adam ramps will be able to accommodate about 150 parkers for the noon games at a $5.00 rate. In the evening, rates will be $5.00 at HSBC, Augspurger, and Adam ramps and $2 at other locations.
For Sunday games, consistent with regular policy during all special events, there will be a $5 charge at the HSBC and Adam ramps. All other City-owned downtown parking facilities will be free.
The gracious parking fee waivers were announced in a press release from Mayor Brown’s office. Apparently the action was taken without the prior approval of the Buffalo Common Council.
The City is passing on what could be a significant revenue boost without gouging fans. Instead of maximizing the benefit to taxpayers by generating additional revenues that could be put to use for parks, police, or other basic services, the City puts on a happy face and says “no thanks.”
What next? Free food for the visiting fans?