City looks at parking problems

Parking along the residential streets north of campus, just off Bellows Street, is becoming a problem for some city residents.

City Commissioner Cynthia Bradley, who lives in the area, said at the Tuesday’s City Commission meeting that those streets are clogged from Bellows to High streets on weekdays.

“It is becoming an increasing problem, though I don’t see an immediate solution,” she said.

At last week’s City-CMU Liaison Committee meeting, City Manager Paul Preston said the city expressed concern that the increase in parking fees for students, faculty and staff would aggravate the parking problem off campus.

“We were concerned (the increase in parking fees) may force more students onto neighborhood streets,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Moreno said he spoke with George Ross, vice president of Finance Administrative Services, who said there were enough spaces on campus for all the students, but too many spaces were needed at certain times on certain days.

“It’s frustrating because there are a lot of spaces, but there are other factors. For example, on Fridays there isn’t a problem. Obviously there’s going to have to be a creative solution,” Moreno said.

In other news:

  • A public hearing was set for June 9 to hear public comment on a proposed amendment of Chapter 30, “Commission,” of the Code of Ordinances. For more information, contact City Hall at 779-5300.
  • Mayor Adam Miller signed a proclamation declaring May 26 through June 1 Special Olympics Michigan Week.
  • The commission approved a recommendation that a “No parking here to corner” sign be installed on the north side of South Drive at Brown Street.
  • The commission adopted a list of goals for 2003-2004, including:
    • research cost and probability of a Citizen’s Government Academy for possible inclusion in 2005
    • schedule welcome back/block parties for residents and CMU students
    • encourage economic development and increase the tax base north of Pickard Street
    • develop high tech jobs, and increase professional job recruitment
    • increase the number of meetings and projects with other governmental entities, such as CMU, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the State, Union Twp. and Isabella County
    • continue development process for a Family Recreation Center
    • complete Master Plan process
    • find ways to help owners bring rental units up to standards
    • lobby for increased fire funding

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