Chicago to charge for lakefront parking

CHICAGO, May 16 (UPI) -- The Chicago Park District this year will start charging $1 an hour to park along the city's waterfront, officials said.

The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday the rate will affect more than 4,400 spots along the lake that now are free. Under the plan, an additional 537 metered parking spots will see rates double or quadruple.

"It's $1 an hour, it's not $3 an hour or $4 an hour, and I mean if you spend the whole day there, it's $8. You can't go see a movie for that," Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell said. "That's what I pay when I go to Andersonville to get my hair cut and I'm not causing the city any extra work."

The Park District said the move will bring in $700,000 the first year, money that will help avert more department layoffs and service reductions.

The Park District will keep money generated from its meters as part of a three-year deal approved this week.

"People are welcomed and encouraged to take public transportation if they find they don't want to pay parking fees," said Park District spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner.