SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A San Diego law student is making parking less expensive downtown. The city approved to lower rates and extend parking hours along Third Avenue and Cedar Street on Thursday.
It's no secret downtown parking is tough.
"Sometimes it’s just hard to find one," said Oday Yousif. "That’s the problem. It’s never guaranteed."
For students at Cal Western Law School, it's not any easier.
"8 o'clock in the morning, that’s when the meters start running. That’s when most classes start; they’re already full," said Yousif.
There are 26 metered spots on Third Avenue and Cedar Street right next to the school.
"My bank statement is just filed 'City of San Diego parking'. $1.25 an hour for a max of two hours. So, after those two hours, you have to move your car or you’ll get a ticket," said Yousif.
He got three tickets in one year.
"They’re about 60 to 70 dollars, and then there’s a fee. I've appealed every single one I've got."
Yousif wrote an email to the city to try to fix the situation. He worked on a resolution with the Downtown Parking Management Group for ten months.
They proposed lowering the rate to 50 cents per hour for up to four hours of parking.
"Giving us 50 cents an hour is not only beneficial to help students, but doing it at four hours is the perfect combination to help students who are just trying to have an ideal parking scenario," said Yousif.
That proposal was approved unanimously by the City Transportation Engineering Division on Thursday. The change will go into effect over the next few weeks.
