Restaurateurs riled over increase in Philly fee for valet spaces

An increase in the fee Philadelphia charges for a valet parking space has upset some restaurant owners in the city.

The cost of reserving curbside valet parking for a restaurant has gone from $250 per space to $2,500.

Councilman Jim Kenney said the increase is designed merely to reflect the cost of lost revenue for the space.

“The valet space value has been determined by the number of potential parking meter spaces and what the average parking meter generates in a given year,” he said.

Restaurant owner Garth Weldon, who has given up his valet space outside the Prime Rib restaurant, said the fee hike is not business- or consumer-friendly, especially for those from the suburbs.

“They have made it an inconvenience for people to come into the city of Philadelphia for dinner,” Weldon said. “I tell you what is going to happen. They are going to go to the mall where they can find a parking space.”

Kenney said most restaurants won’t give up the valet spaces so people won’t see any difference.

Realtor Alan Domb, however, said the changes will make it harder to find valet service in the city. He said that will make it more difficult for people to park to go to a restaurant in the city.