IN PLACE OF METERS

Parking meters, just the mention of them sends chills through elected officials and business leaders. What were once thought to be a money maker for cities with a busy downtown has turned into a nightmare of enforcement and collection problems and frustration for businesses and customers.

The original intent of the parking meter system was to encourage quick turn-over by shoppers and at the same time generate some revenue for cities. Unfortunately they have caused problems. Finally, people in Rock Island had had enough. It was time to eliminate what most businessmen thought was one of the greatest detriments to a business district in any city — the notorious parking meter.

The greatest complaint was the lack of turn-over per parking space and the parking tickets received by customers who may have forgotten to plug the meter. Business owners were disgruntled and frustrated. Customers would shake their parking ticket at them and leave, swearing to shop at the mall next time.

A large problem was the office employees (campers) who would park in a space all day and receive an inexpensive parking ticket. It has become economically feasible to plug the meter every two hours and in some cases receive the ticket which assured you of the space the rest of the day. There was no turnover in front of businesses which relied on walk-in traffic.

A task force was established by The Rock Island Downtown Council, a group of businessmen and other citizens concerned with the problems confronting an older business district. Their goal was to find a parking system that would encourage turn over and customer satisfaction.

Many cities were looked at with similar downtown problems. The system that was eventually initiated was one in which all the parking meters in the business districts were eliminated entirely. Only fifteen minute meters were left in front of businesses which needed quick turn-over for pick ups i.e. pharmacies (but only if the business requested it).

The area was divided into parking zones. Zones close to the businesses themselves were labeled with brown two hour parking stickers. These stickers were placed on the poles that remained when the meter heads were removed. Zones farther away from the area were labeled with green parking stickers also indicating a two hour zone.

People who work in the downtown area are given the opportunity to purchase parking permits. These permits allow individuals to park in areas such as the parking ramp and the green zones for a full day without being ticketed. These permits are purchased on a monthly basis and are discounted. They cost less than if a person would pay a parking meter for the entire day.

"Executive Permits" are also sold to individuals at a high price that enables them to park in any zone for the full day. These purchases are tax deductible, whereas parking tickets are not.

October 1990 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 17

The parking meter attendants were not eliminated. They still patrol the business areas and chalk the tires of vehicles that have over extended their time in one space. These "campers" are closely watched and still ticketed.

The new parking system has accomplished four goals: (1) the elimination of the parking meters — thus free parking for customers, (2) greater turn-over per space and more available spaces thus generating more traffic for businesses who rely on this, (3) a better parking system for the downtown office employees which encourages them not to park in areas strategic to businesses and (4) a better relationship between the business community and the city government who had originally installed them years ago.

After more than three years, the system is working very well. There have been minor adjustments to unforeseen problems. Business and corporations located in these areas are very pleased with the outcome of the permit system and the elimination of the parking meters. •

Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1990