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Cleveland special event parking prices hurt downtown service workers

Workers ask parking companies for a discount
Posted at 8:11 AM, Oct 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-27 08:22:48-04

Downtown Cleveland service workers, employed near Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena, report special event parking prices are hurting their pocketbooks.

Downtown Gateway District bartender Ryan Telgrow explained some service workers are actually losing money when they report to work if they have to pay $80 to $100 to park during special events like the World Series.

"They're asking $50 to $100 for parking," said Telgrow. "When we go in there and we do our job, it puts pressure on us, because we have to make that money back."

Jenn Alexander is a server at a restaurant near Progressive Field, she told News 5 more and more workers are forced to take public transportation or get a ride.

Alexander believes major parking companies in downtown Cleveland should give night service workers a discount during special events.

"We don't drive down here because we can't pay that price, we have to have somebody come and get us," said Alexander.

"We should be given a discount, that's exactly what I said.  I told them that before, I've mentioned that. I don't know, they just want their money."

Alexander said some workers use less expensive city owned lots, but they are long walk and present a safety issue for workers who are going to their cars at 1 or 2 in the morning.

Telgrow said service workers should be given a lower rate if they show some type of employee identification.

"Give us something, help us out," said Telgrow.  I mean we don't have $50 cash, or whatever to pay these enormous prices for parking."

News5.com contacted USA Parking Systems, ABM and Shaia's Parking for this story, asking them if they would consider a service worker discount during special events.

So far we have not received a return phone call or email.