NASHUA – Those who live in or commute to downtown Nashua on a regular basis may soon see a spike in the monthly cost of leasing a parking space in one of the city’s garages.

Board of Aldermen member Brandon Michael Laws introduced the ordinance during the Tuesday meeting. It has been referred to the city’s Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee for further review. If the committee approves it, it would then go back to the BOA for a full vote.

Amid complaints the city lacks enough parking for those who may want to come downtown for shopping, dining and entertainment purposes, Laws said he believes one of the ways to address the problem is to have daily commuters and downtown residents pay more for the spaces they occupy.

Currently, Nashua charges a monthly fee of $30 for a rooftop parking space at the Elm Street and High Street garages.

The cost is $45 per month for one of the covered spaces.

If the new ordinance ultimately becomes law, the new costs would change on Jan. 1, 2020. The cost would then be $60 per month, regardless of where it is in the garage. Then, on Jan. 1, 2021, it would go to $75 per month.

“The gist of it, as I understand, is we’re charging significantly less than most other cities are charging for leased parking spaces,” Laws said.

According to Manchester’s website, the Queen City charges $85 per month, plus a $20 security deposit, to park in the Victory Garage.

The city of Concord, its website shows, charges $130 per month for a covered space in the Storrs Street Parking Garage, or $97.50 for uncovered spaces.

Adam Urquhart can be reached at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.