BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The next time you attend a Sabres game at the arena or a show at Shea's, don't expect to park on the street for free.

The Common Council approved a measure late this afternoon that doubles the hourly street parking rate from one dollar per hour to two dollars. The paid parking period is also expanding by a total of six hours. Currently, drivers have to feed the meters on many downtown streets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new pay period will stretch from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new paid parking rules and hours, which will take effect early next month and primarily affect the downtown core and Canalside, will extend to Saturdays as well.

Buffalo Parking Commissioner Kevin Helfer says the goal of the new parking rate structure is to prevent people from sitting in one spot, therefore creating more parking turnover. He encourages long-term parkers to use paid ramps and lots.

In addition, the city says it will be creating more than 700 new spots downtown by turning current no standing zones into paid parking spots. Many of these spots will be created near KeyBank Center.

The Buffalo Common Council will look at the new parking plan in April to see if it's working.