The San Diego City Council passed a parking structure bond on Tuesday morning, with a vote of 7-1.
In the future, people won't be able to park in part of Balboa Park for free. Instead, it will be $5 for a few hours of parking.
The only opposing vote belonged to District 1 councilmember Sherri Lightner.
Feelings from locals were somewhat mixed about charging for parking at this historic site.
NBC 7 San Diego spoke with people at Balboa Park on Tuesday, and they had a lot to say about the $5 they will have to pay when they park in the new garage.
"With other people taking free spots you would just know that there would be a place for you to park,” said Solana Beach resident Susan Scott.
"It probably wouldn't deter us because we're already putting,” Chad Bassen from North County said, “From our point, we're already driving down from North County and spending the gas and making the trip anyway, so it's not that big of a deal.”
The council approved almost 1,000 spaces for underground parking. It is part of the Plaza de Panama Project, and will be topped by lawns and landscaping. This parking garage is a $17 million-bond issue.
"Tourists flying in here to San Diego, to them it's nothing big,” said Chad Perez, a San Diego resident. “People from here, you might see a big difference.”
