following is a copy of the email I sent the Y. If anyone else wants to
share their concerns, email <email obscured> or Alex (head of
Midtown Y) at <email obscured>. I am also considering a petition. It
impacts all of us whether we're members or not. If you're interested in
doing something, email me at <email obscured>. Thanks!
I am protesting your new policy of charging Y members parking fees. In
your email you stated the fees would “relieve congestion and current misuse
of parking lots.” If members are causing the congestion, then you assume
less people will be parking in the lot. Where will the members park then?
In the neighborhood? That will cause parking and congestion problems for
the neighborhood. You are then not being a good neighbor.
A few months ago I took an informal survey of the parking lot at Midtown.
Only 1 out of 4 cars had a Y parking permit. Enforcing the rule that the
lot is for Y members only should be a first step in relieving the
congestion and misuse. Charging members parking fees should not be a first
step. The parking fee at the Midtown Y will be less than the Hennepin
County lot, which will encourage people using the service center to park in
the Y lot. After fees are required for the lot, it will be ok for
non-members to park in the lot. There will no longer be any “misuse.”
This could make parking at the Y even worse.
It also takes time to pay and wait for the arm to go up when entering a
paid parking lot. This will cause not relieve congestion at the 22nd
Ave./Lake St. intersection. I’ve seen this happen when people enter the
county’s paid parking lot.
Giving Y members a measly 10% reduction of parking fees is an insult in my
opinion. At the very least more bike racks should be installed.
Gaylyn Bicking