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-Editorial
Shoppers in downtown Calexico are expressing growing concerns over the recent adjustment to parking meter rates, which took effect earlier this year. Many believe the new rates, which increased parking costs and extended meter hours, could have a lasting negative impact on the area, discouraging visitors and potentially hurting local businesses in the long run.
In March 2024, the Calexico City Council passed a resolution that adjusted parking meter rates, fines, and the metering of public parking lots in downtown Calexico. This change, aimed at increasing city revenue to fund vital public services, has drawn criticism from local shoppers and business owners who fear the impact on the downtown shopping district.
The adopted measure that the council approved in March 2025 increased the parking meter rate from 25 cents for 30 minutes to 25 cents for just 12 minutes, effective from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Additionally, parking fines increased by 10%. The City Council explained that the adjustment is necessary to align with inflation rates and generate funds for essential services, including the hiring of four new part-time traffic controllers and the reinstatement of a Business Liaison Officer, whose role will be to assist businesses with various issues in the downtown area.
Downtown Calexico is home to 565 metered parking spots, which play a critical role in regulating parking availability near local businesses. The meters prevent long-term parking by individuals who leave their cars while crossing into Mexico, ensuring parking spaces are available for shoppers. The city has also maintained a two-hour maximum parking limit with a fee of $1.00 to encourage turnover and make parking more accessible to potential customers.
However, many shoppers and business owners argue that the parking rate increase and extended hours—now stretching until 10 p.m.—will deter customers from visiting downtown. “It feels like we’re being penalized for shopping here,” Viviana Zamora said after putting her 25 cents in the parking meter. “Downtown is already struggling, and this change could push more people away.”
Jose Ambriz, a Calexico resident, believes that this doesn’t allow people to shop and take their time since they have to think about putting in more coins.
“That’s why downtown is almost empty since there is no incentive to shop downtown,” Ambriz said.
According to city officials, the current revenue from parking meters and fines—about $275,000 and $204,000 annually, respectively—falls short of covering the $900,000 annual budget required for traffic enforcement. The $421,000 gap has been supplemented by the police department’s general fund, which is increasingly stretched thin.
The additional revenue generated by the new rates and fines will help close this budget gap and cover the cost of employing the new part-time traffic controllers. These controllers will help manage parking and traffic during peak hours, ensuring the continued smooth flow of vehicles and preventing parking congestion. In particular, they will focus on maintaining order during the busy afternoon hours when vehicles often line up to cross into Mexico.
In addition to traffic controllers, the revenue increase will fund a Business Liaison Officer. This officer will work closely with downtown businesses to address issues and promote safety in the area.
One major challenge that has led to frustration among the public is the outdated nature of the current parking meters. The existing meters, which have been in place for over two decades, no longer accept card payments, and parts for their maintenance are difficult to obtain. City officials acknowledge that the lack of modern payment options is a source of public dissatisfaction. Many customers are inconvenienced by having to find local businesses to provide change for the meters.
To address this issue, the city is exploring options for upgrading the meters to modern models that accept alternative payment methods. The estimated cost of replacing 623 meters is $242,988, with additional costs for installation and communication fees. While this upgrade will require an upfront investment, it is expected to improve the parking experience for shoppers and increase compliance with parking regulations.
Another significant element of the resolution involves the city’s four public parking lots, which are currently unmetered and subject to a two-hour parking limit. On weekends, these lots are often filled with vehicles left by people crossing into Mexico, resulting in a loss of potential revenue for the city. To address this, the Calexico Police Department has proposed two solutions: either contracting with a third-party vendor to meter the lots or having the city manage the lots itself.
Both options would generate additional revenue for the city and help mitigate the issue of people leaving their cars for extended periods while visiting Mexico.