Changes Coming To Downtown Parking

Free weekend street parking could be coming to an end in downtown Grand Rapids.

Most parking meters in Grand Rapids are enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. There are a few spots that are enforced on Saturdays; but for the most part, if you're lucky enough to find street side parking on the weekend, it's free. 'If you're lucky enough,' is part of the problem.

Some business owners say they would rather see meter enforcement and have people coming and going than workers who just want to park for the day. Simply put, no come and go traffic, no business.

The city will be counting occupied street-side spaces during the final two weeks of April, this includes the weekend, to gather more info before they make the change.

In fairness, I can't imagine this change is anymore than trying to please some of the business owners. I don't see how this would make the city any extra money. You would think the cost of extra manpower would offset any money brought in by weekend fines or meters. Though I'm pretty ignorant beyond my own thoughts.