'U' should be more willing to meet parking needs

By Partha Mukhopadhyay
Daily Editorial Page Writer

Ann Arbor parking?

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Strict enforcement of local parking ordinances leaves many students in the lurch. The University and city leaders should work to improve parking near campus.

It's an oxymoron, if not fantasy.

Finding a convenient spot near your destination is all but impossible in this town. And if you're a student driving to class, trying to park somewhere legal that will allow you to reach class on time, forget it. Shut the motor off where you stand, and start praying the meter watchers don't come by during your class. For a city of this magnitude, parking spaces are extremely precious, and for the student motorist, next to impossible to find.

Newcomers driving around may notice the eight parking structures around Central Campus, and may be lured into thinking the city has plenty of parking spaces. Closer scrutiny shatters that illusion, as many are revealed as "staff-paid parking" units. Reserved for University employees willing to pay up to $400 for non-guaranteed space, the garages are off-limits to students - the non-staff paid sticker holder who tries to rest a vehicle risks $17 fines.

The three city-owned parking structures located on campus aren't much help to students, either. Built in proximity to shopping areas, these are filled with customers visiting famous Ann Arbor landmarks like Borders, Uno's and Red Hawk. In addition, at least one faces major renovations, and will close soon for necessary repairs.

This leaves the streets as students' only real options. Meters line Ann Arbor's streets, but finding room to park along the sidewalks is often a pipe dream. Arriving short of change, or short of time, the penalty is steep if an ever-vigilant parking enforcement officer happen to stroll past - $7, if you can't reach City Hall within an hour to pay a mere $5.

Given the rising number of students bringing automobiles to school every year, it is unfortunate the University and city do not move to help them. The city's hands may be tied - Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon once all but admitted the city's budget would be seriously constrained if parking fines were removed from revenues. Counting on residents and visitors - and especially students - to break the law sounds suspiciously like poor budget planning.

And the University will soon be guilty of ignoring students' needs in favor an already well-serviced population. An empty lot on the corner of State Street and Hill Street is slated for use as another staff paid parking lot. Even though it is a small area, allowing student access won't go far in solving the larger parking crisis. The University is wasting a great chance to show student motorists that it is serious about their problems in this matter.

09-03-97