Eau Claire's downtown parking consists of spots that are two-hour parking between 6am-6pm with no parking between the hours of 2am-6am. Now, this may not seem like an issue but as someone who lives in the downtown area, I see some very problematic issues with the parking rules.
1. It Does Not Deter Drunk Driving
https://www.pexels.com/photo/action-asphalt-back-light-blur-434459/
With very little options for parking overnight downtown, this only encourages people to move their cars when they are in no state to drive so that they avoid a parking ticket. There is absolutely no reason to not allow people to park on the streets overnight especially in a state where OWIs are a huge issue. I would rather have the streets have cars on the day and night than risk having someone get seriously hurt because someone didn't want to get a parking ticket.
2. There Aren't Many Handicap Spots
https://www.google.com/search?q=handicap+parking&rlz=1C1TSND_enUS514US514&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizzdChxrrcAhUP8YMKHdiNCDkQ_AUICigB&biw=1164&bih=516#imgrc=TkvIbQyctSs-kM:
While I understand that every spot can't be a handicap spot downtown there should be more than there is. Most of them are along the side streets of the downtown area which isn't ideal for those who have trouble walking and want to park right in front of the business they are visiting.
3. It Ignores The Downtown Tenants and Their Visitors
https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-gathered-inside-house-sitting-on-sofa-1054974/
As someone who lives downtown, it is extremely difficult to have people come to visit since the only parking they can access overnight is blocks away from my house. This is even a burden on the tenants because when there is construction it can shut down our parking ramps. This summer I have not been able to access my parking ramp. When I have been able to access it I have had to walk through a construction site. I broke my foot this summer and the fact that I can't park right by my apartment without moving it every two hours and not being able to park it overnight has made it extremely difficult on me to get to and from work and other errands I need to run.
4. The Meters Only Take Change
https://www.google.com/search?q=parking+meter&rlz=1C1TSND_enUS514US514&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiK4YvPx7rcAhVMMawKHROWDSwQ_AUICigB&biw=1164&bih=516
In other cities, meters now take cash, change, or card. This makes parking much easier. But in Eau Claire the meters only take change. If you can't find free street parking or the pay parking ramp is too far from your destination this leaves you to need to scramble to find some spare change if you don't already have any. Investing in meters that take card or cash would make parking downtown less of a hassle.
5. Two Hours Is Not Enough Sometimes
https://www.google.com/search?q=clocks&rlz=1C1TSND_enUS514US514&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCpr7sx7rcAhWina0KHc1bCt8Q_AUICigB&biw=1164&bih=516
While I get there needs to a limit on park time to allow for spots to free up throughout the day, sometimes two hours is just not enough. When time spent at salons and restaurants might take longer than expected it's extremely inconvenient to have to try and move your car when you are in the middle of something and parking is already extremely limited.
