Royal Purple

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Rose Wolf

The city of Whitewater implemented new parking regulations on Sept 1 in an effort to improve access and parking for Whitewater's downtown businesses and residents.

Permits will now be required for 24-hour parking in the downtown area. The permits will only be available for residents who live within designated areas and will cost $50. Starting Jan. 1, 2008, the rate will increase to $100 per year.

"There is a lot more housing in the downtown area," City Manager Kevin Brunner said. "There have been nearly 50 new units added in the last six months. That's a lot of people."?

Permits will also be required for daily on-street parking in specially designated areas. As with the 24-hour permits, the on-street permits will only be available to employers who work in the downtown area.

"We've also created spaces on the streets for employees of the downtown area. Parking is a premium and we're trying to regulate it," Brunner said.

Reaction to the change in parking has been pretty good according to Brunner.

"We sold dozens of permits in the first few days."

Students wishing to avoid the hassle of the parking issue can take advantage of a new shuttle service offered by the city. The shuttle service, which began Tuesday, will take students to places of interest around the city including Wal-Mart, Sentry and downtown. Riders can be picked up at the Visitors Center located on Starin Rd., Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Buses run every 30 minutes.

24-hour parking is still available in the city in limited overnight lots' and more information can be found by contacting the Whitewater Police Department. Visitors can also utilize overnight parking on the UW-Whitewater campus. A one-day parking permit can be purchased for $2 from Visitors and Parking Services.

Earlier last year, Gov. Jim Doyle accepted Whitewater into Wisconsin's Main Street program. The program gives grants to improve the downtown area.

In the original plan, four elements are comibined to create a well balanced program. The elements include organization of a Main Street framework that is well represented by various groups in the city, enhanced design of the business district, economic restructuring and promotion. Whitewater added a fifth element, parking.

Citizens of Whitewater and students who frequent the downtown area are encouraged to visit the city's web site (http://www.ci.whitewater.wi.us/) for detailed maps and rules.

The Whitewater Common Coucil met Tuesday to discuss the permit plan. Check out www.royalpurplenews.com for updates to this story.

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