‘People don’t want to pay for parking in the suburbs’: Rosemont mayor blasts mall’s new policy

Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens has expressed frustration with, and opposition to, a new paid parking policy at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall.

“What they’re doing there is not sitting well with me. People don’t want to pay for parking at a mall in the suburbs,” Stephens told the Daily Herald this week.

The 19-year chief executive of the tiny-yet-powerful entertainment and business mecca has had a friendly relationship with executives at mall owner Macerich since the two-level, 530,000-square-foot indoor shopping center opened in 2013.

But he’s recently made known to them his objection to paid parking, fearing a decline in business, foot traffic and sales tax revenues for village coffers. The mall is one of the biggest sales tax generators in town.

“I told them it was a bad move. People are not going to want to pay,” Stephens said.

Macerich officials did not respond to requests for comment.

But in February when paid parking started within the mall’s seven-story garage, a company spokesperson told reporters the program was “designed to ensure convenient access for our guests while maintaining a positive overall experience at the center.”

“The program prioritizes parking availability for our shoppers and discourages overnight, event and airport parking,” the spokesperson said. “Parking rates are comparable to nearby facilities in the area.”

Under the new policy, parking is free for the first hour, then is $13 for 1-3 hours, $20 for 3-12 hours, and $50 for 12-24 hours.

Shoppers can get up to three hours free if they make at least $100 in same-day purchases then visit the mall’s guest services desk to get validated.

The Rosemont mall is believed to be the only one in the suburbs that charges all drivers to park, though some malls offer spaces closer to the entrance for a fee.

In February, Oakbrook Center mall launched paid, preferred parking for about 100 spots. It’s $3 for the first hour, then $2 for each additional hour up to $11 total.

Fashion Outlets charged shoppers to park when the mall opened 13 years ago, but the policy was later reversed.

Stephens referenced one restaurant in the food court that said their business is down 8% since paid parking went into effect three months ago. Anecdotally, he said he’s talked to shoppers who have decided to take their business elsewhere.

He questioned how much Macerich would stand to make, since each parking rate includes taxes for Cook County and the village, then a cut for parking operator Metropolis.

“They’re misreading their customers. The people I hear from don’t want to pay for parking in the suburbs,” Stephens said.