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Marissa Monson recently returned to Champaign-Urbana, where she earned a bachelor's of journalism from University of Illinois in 2004. She freelances fulltime and works parttime at Jane Addams Book Shop to support a serious book-buying habit. She loves hip-hop and soul music. The first album she owned was Janet Jackson's "Control." She never looked back.
Starting today, downtown dwellers should prepare to dig a little deeper in their pockets to feed meters in what the City of Champaign dubs the “downtown core” parking spaces.
City Council’s decision to triple parking rates in downtown Champaign from $.25 an hour to $.75 an hour was made on Dec. 18. In theory, the hiked rates will move long-term visitors to outlying areas where parking prices are lower to make way for short-term guests.
Be prepared to fork out more quarters when parking on Randolph Street, Hill Street, Main Street, University Street, and most corridors in between in the downtown district. The 50-cent meters are predominately located on streets running east-west between Randolph and State Streets. Rates will remain the same along State Street and beyond, coupled with two blocks around the corner of Randolph and White Streets.
Failing to pay the meter has become more expensive as well. Since January, ticket prices have jumped to $20 for a violation. The fine increased to $30 after failing to pay after three days.
Finally, beginning in July 2009, downtown visitors will have to pay the meters until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, a change from the current hours of operation which end at 5 p.m. [Edit. After 5 p.m. drivers will still have to feed meters, but the 2-hour time limit on the majority of downtown meters will not be enforced.]
According to the City of Champaign, revenue from the parking rate hike will increase funds to build a 600-space parking structure to be built on the corner of Hill and Randolph Street. The parking garage is slated for completion in early 2009.
Comments (4)
Monday, February 4, 2008 2:33 PM
Glad I don't live downtown any longer.
Monday, February 4, 2008 3:11 PM
"Finally, beginning in July 2009, downtown visitors will have to pay the meters until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, a change from the current hours of operation which end at 5 p.m."
however, it should be noted that although you must pay the meters until 9pm, enforcement stops at 5pm according to the posted flyers I've seen around town here.
seems a little strange to tell everyone that. hmmmm...
Monday, February 4, 2008 3:23 PM
I added this to the story, but to be clear, the meters will be enforced until 9 p.m., however time limits for 2-hour meters will not be enforced after 5 p.m.
Monday, February 4, 2008 3:51 PM
I am on the fence about this really... inflation exists across the board - and it seems like we might be overdue for a jump in the cost of parking. I am just sorry for the businesses there that might have to take a small hit to afford a parking lot that is being designed specifically to accommodate the upper crust. But that's not how they are spinning it...