A2 considers new parking policy

Just days after the Ann Arbor City Council approved a raise in parking meter rates and despite public outcry over city parking prices, city officials are currently contemplating the end of free Sunday parking.

Councilmember Christopher Kolb said the rationale for raising meter rates is based on the high cost of repairing parking structures. Increasing meter rates is expected to make the more expensive parking structures more attractive in comparison to meter parking.

Kolb also said he is unsure about the Downtown Development Authority's recommendation to eliminate free parking on Sundays. "I've not wanted to raise parking rates," Kolb said, adding that he would have to be convinced that the higher prices were in the best interest of Ann Arbor residents.

Councilmember Elisabeth Daley said the School of Public Policy presented a study to the city council that outlined how the city's parking structures can be self supporting. The council concluded that the structures can be self-supporting without eliminating Sunday parking.

"I guess I want to hear more about what the DDA has to say. I definitely think the parking structures and lots should be self-supporting. I'm interested to see what the DDA has to say and I'm interested in hearing from downtown merchants and other residents," Daley said.

Decker Drugs owner Jim Decker said free Sunday parking is a welcome treat to his customers.

"I don't really see the point of charging on Sundays. The rates seem pretty expensive as it is," Decker said. "I wish they wouldn't do it on Sundays because people like coming down and not having to worry about getting a ticket or paying for parking."

Jeremy Moore, store manager at Harry's Army Surplus, also said free Sunday parking is beneficial because of its convenience for customers.

"A lot of people who come here think that parking in Ann Arbor is frustrating anyway. I don't know if (the legislation) will make them stop coming. It will affect the amount of browsing done on Sunday's in general," Moore said.

Ann Arbor residents and local business owners expressed displeasure over the increase in parking meter prices increase from 60 to 80 cents that was approved last Monday. Engineering first-year student Halima Cherif said the city's parking does not work to the benefit of Ann Arbor drivers.

"That's absolutely ridiculous. They should just get rid of the parking meters all together. If they are going to raise that, they should come up with more free parking," Cherif said. "They must make so much money off of it. I don't see why they would have to raise it 20 cents."

Kolb said he disagreed with the council's decision to raise parking rates.

"I didn't vote for it. The decision was made because the parking structures have raised their rates," Kolb said.

Many Ann Arbor residents said the revenue from the increased parking rates should be directed towards providing additional parking in the city. Ann Arbor resident Rick Sanchez said the new parking rates he will face when searching for a parking space are "absurd."

"They should be building structures instead of surface level parking lots. It's just taking advantage of the people. They're overspending, then trying to make the money back," Sanchez said. "If they're going to start charging on Sundays, they should bring the price back to 50 cents an hour. Fifty cents an hour is really reasonable."

LSA first-year student Emanuel Nearing also said the additional money from the new rates should go toward financing more public parking.

"You can't find a spot. If they are going to raise it, take the revenues and make more parking available," Nearing said.

04-13-98