I'm not sure I expect that Seattle's progressive leadership has a thought process beyond "pluralism is representative government." Making sense, efficiency, consistency, and fiscal logic aren't inherent attributes of the process.

As for parking fees, an economic assessment would point out that if priced too far below market value, you'll never find an open spot; and if priced too far above market value, revenue will drop with many vacancies. Priced right and the city maximizes revenue with a balanced supply of vacant spaces to be had. Other logical reasons affected parking prices are if vehicle congestion is perceived as being too high, then some of that congestion can be priced out of the area with higher parking pricing. Lastly, it isn't the city's job to price parking for the benefit of individual or clusters of businesses. If parking is essential to the existence of a business, then that business should include parking as part of its facility. But that would be a logical type of analysis, which is not the province of either progressive liberal nor conservative types of government.