Live, work in or regularly visit downtown Buffalo?

Prepare to pay more for parking starting next month.

"What this plan is, is a proposal to change the rates in the central business (district) from $1 per hour to $2 an hour, along with changing the hours that people can pay for parking with the goal of creating over 700 new spots, creating more access for people coming to downtown, with the vibrancy of downtown, the destination of downtown and all the happenings of downtown," said Kevin Helfer, the city’s parking commissioner.

The proposed plan would change street parking from Goodell Street to the KeyBank Center area, extend west to South Elmwood Avenue and east to Michigan Avenue.

Helfer said hours would also be extended to evenings and weekends.

"Currently right now the parking after 5 p.m. is free, this will extend it to 10 in the evenings," Helfer said.

 Buffalo Common Council members on Wednesday questioned Helfer about this initiative, including Council President Darius Pridgen.

"I have not even asked about the money because, for me, the way this was presented that it was about turnover," Pridgen said.

Pridgen wants to be sure the plan will create more parking downtown.

"It's not just a blanket policy, but what it does provide at this point, as far as what we’re being told, and that's why we have to come back and look at it, is the ability for people who want short term parking in the City of Buffalo,” Pridgen said. “They don't want to go through the ramps, and they don't want to have to find a spot five blocks away but be able to find a space near where they're going.”

Broadway District Councilmember David Franczyk said he wants to make sure it's not just a money grab for the city.

"Some changes probably have to be made but we have to be mindful of making sure the citizens understand what's happening so they don't think that something is occurring, that it’s gonna be hurtful to their lifestyle," Franczyk said.

If passed, the plan could go into effect in January. Pridgen is asking Hefler to report to the council in April to determine whether the plan is effective in creating more spaces.