Saratoga Springs business owners are expressing concern that the paid parking program is enriching the city, but it is making them poorer.

John Nemjo of Saratoga Outdoors said his business in June, July and August was down 8%, and he knows that a lot of other business were down by similar amounts.

The city implemented the parking program in June. Visitors are charged $2 per hour to park downtown in garages and lots.

Nemjo said he is hoping to convince city officials to revisit the parking fee policy.

He said they need to support the year-round residents, who he said avoid downtown during track season.

“It’s too busy. You can’t get into a restaurant. They don’t want to deal with that crowd, so they don’t come down there in general. In the summertime, a lot of people leave town and rent their houses. So, our normal year-round customer tends to stay away. Now paid parking just gave them another reason not to come downtown,” he said.

Nemjo said he hears daily complaints from residents that don’t know where to park.

There is a meeting on Friday, October 18 for business owners to discuss the issue with city leaders.

It’s a revenue generator for the city, according to Mayor John Safford. However, he is keeping an open mind, he said.