LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The city of Las Vegas is cutting parking rates for the underground garage at Neonopolis in an attempt to lure more visitors to the Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East Entertainment District.
The first hour of parking is now free and patrons will be charged $1 per additional hour. A $36 fee for 24-hour parking has now been replaced with a $5 daily maximum charge and a $35 monthly parking fee.
The 600-space garage opened along with Neonopolis in 2002. Free parking was available for about eight months, then the city began charging $1.50 per hour in order to recoup the $15 million construction cost.
Free parking in downtown Las Vegas has been a point of contention in recent months, most notably after about 100 vehicles were towed during the monthly First Friday festival in the city's Arts District.
The problem gained further attention during the Las Vegas mayoral race, and new Mayor Carolyn Goodman recently announced the hiring of a new parking services manager to look for new and affordable parking opportunities.
FOX5 wants to know what you think of the new parking fees. Are you more likely to park at Neonopolis?
Send your comments to Facebook and The RANT. You can hear the responses on FOX5 News at 10.
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