Authored By chloe.morrison

Local officials have approved fee increases and other changes for downtown parking meters.

Fees will soon increase from 75 cents to $1 an hour, charges will apply through 6 p.m. instead of until 4:30 p.m., and enforcement will extend to Saturdays, Chattanooga Parking Authority director of parking Brent Matthews said.

The changes go into effect Sept. 1, but Matthews said that authorities will give warnings during the month of September as people adjust.

Matthews said that the changes are warranted because of the city’s growth. He also said that the local charges are comparable, if not still less expensive, than nearby cities.

Rates have not been raised since 2008, according to Matthews. Before that, they hadn’t been raised since 1998.

The fees go toward parking infrastructure and technology upgrades, he also said.

There’s also potential that the funds could go toward partnering with developers or an organization such as River City Co. to build a parking garage, he said.