Downtown business owners pushing back against the city's paid parking agenda, saying forcing you to pay to park could be the demise of downtown.

Today we speak to business owners who say they've got a better idea.

It's been an ongoing fight between businesses and city leaders on whether downtown Yakima will fall in line and make you pay to park.

Nearly a year ago city staff brought to the forefront the poor condition of many parking lots in downtown Yakima, hoping to offset those repair costs on to consumers.

But many downtown businesses are totally against it.

"I think it's a kiss of death for the businesses," said Joe Mann, owner of Ron's Coins and Collectables.

Now three long-time Yakima business owners Joe Mann, Ben Hittle and Steve Mercy have come up with their own parking plan they say provides more balance.

The new parking proposal changes five city lots from 30 to 60 percent monthly parking requiring a 50-dollar monthly payment for county or city workers.

This would create 260 spaces generating about 156 thousand dollars per year.

And for those who visit downtown two to three times a week you'll be required to pay on an hourly basis.

"Everybody would love free parking everywhere," said Mann. "But you actually have to get down to the nuts and bolts of it and you have to maintain it."

Business owners like Joe Mann are hoping this new proposal will keep street parking spaces like these free for consumers.

"Our main drive is to keep that customer base still coming downtown," said Mann.

But other small businesses are saying they're already struggling to make ends meet, so an additional 50 dollars a month could push them over the edge.

"So that's going to hit me on my bottom line and when it hits me on my bottom line, I have to make a choice," said Corie Ratliff, owner of Mama Corie's Kitchen. "Do I stay open, or do I stay closed? And personally, down here right now, we're on a fighting battle."

City leaders are discussing whether they'll be moving forward with this plan, if not then it's back to the drawing board.