Parking meter rates in downtown Champaign increased today as part of a new initiative by the city aimed at raising revenue.

“The City Council initially had this suggested to them back in December of 2006,” said Stacy Rachel, Administrative Services Supervisor for the city of Champaign. “Increasing meter rates was one method to build the revenue needed to build the new 600 space parking deck on the corner of Hill and Randolph.”

Rates in the downtown core increased from 25 cents to 75 cents per hour while rates on the fringe of downtown will remain 25 cents per hour. The rates in some in between areas will only increase to 50 cents per hour, Rachel said.

Brittany Abeijon contributed to this report.