A recent program offering reduced-cost parking in downtown ramps seems to be working: college students are not only using a new parking card for easy access to college classes, they’re taking some time after class to catch a bite or brew at nearby eateries. And that makes those business owners plenty happy.
According to excerpts from the story:
The pilot program that parking commissioners made permanent has been supported by students taking college classes downtown, by those seeking a night out, and by those who work evenings in the district.
But the demographic group that used the $15 nighttime monthly parking card offered by Parking Services at three ramps in August was college students. Returns showed they quit looking for free metered spaces on the streets and that they stayed downtown after class.
“Maybe our marketing efforts will target more to college students,” said Pam Ritsema, Parking Services director, who added that her department has gained about $250 in monthly revenue from the program. “Now they have a place to park and they give downtown merchants their business,” said Parking Commissioner David Leonard of the response from the students.
Read the complete story here.
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