Dozens of Downtown business owners and community members spent their evening at the Great Falls City Commission meeting tonight (10/6). Many voiced their opposition to a parking meter hike, but the proposal still passed 3 to 2. What was once thriving is now a ghost town. That's how people described downtown Great Falls tonight. They say raising parking meter rates from 25 cents to 50 cents an hour would just be another nail in the coffin. During a budget meeting earlier this year, the city discovered it was losing money because it was costing more to upkeep the parking meters. City commissioner Bill Bronson says improving the downtown area is a separate issue and has nothing to do with the price hike at the meters. The new rate changes will go in effect in 30 days. Mayor Donna Stebbins, who voted against the hike, is encouraging the public to look at other solutions before the rate increase takes effect.