Off-Campus Parking Crackdown

With limited spaces for on-campus parking, some students turn to

parking lots and side streets near and around campus to park before

classes.

This is turning into a significant problem for businesses

surrounding campus. People parking illegally should be aware of

parking crackdowns, such as towing, as the holidays approach.

“Lots of people have been parking in the Holiday Inn for years,

but nothing ever happens, so they keep on doing it,” said Peter

Carlson, a senior music theory major.

Holiday Inn is located at 425 W. Prospect Road, across the

street from campus. Students continue to park in the hotel’s lots

for their classes every day despite a sign that prohibits non-guest

parking.

“I parked in the lot until I saw the sign one day,” said junior

speech communications major Megan Turpin. “I was afraid that my car

would be towed and that is so expensive.”

Fred Warren, the hotel’s general manager, said students coming

and going in the hotel lot is common, especially between 7:30 and 8

a.m., right before classes.

“It’s always packed,” Carlson said.

Though towing has been an infrequent consequence in the past,

Warren said that next semester could see an increase in towing.

Woody’s Woodfired Pizza and Watering Hole, 518 W. Laurel St.,

tows anywhere from two to 10 cars each week, said Bill Mahaffey,

general manager.

“Kids park early in the morning and I try to give them time to

come back and get their car before we open at 11 a.m.,” Mahaffey

said. “We are not a CSU parking lot.”

Warren said the Holiday Inn needs the 400 spots for its 258

rooms that are often full.

“The problem is prevalent and growing,” Warren said.

There are also local groups that meet at the hotel and a hair

salon inside with a wide local clientele as well.

“Word must get out that we are not student parking,” Warren

said. “We are not the only business affected.”

Mahaffey said the main problem with parking violators is that

Woody’s often has parties of anywhere from 20 to 80 people.

“I get a lot of attitude,” he said. “If I need that space for my

guests I won’t hesitate to tow.”

Students can find alternatives to parking in other

organization’s lots.

Warren recommends parking in the university-provided dirt lot

behind his hotel. “What’s another 100 yards?” he said.

Mahaffey suggests asking for permission if a student truly

cannot find a spot on campus.

Rather than park off campus, Michael Rose, the director of

University Parking Services, suggests buying a day pass for $2 or

using a meter that runs at 50 cents an hour. New to students this

year is the one-semester commuter pass for $44. It can be purchased

on or after Dec. 15. Students can still purchase a yearlong

commuter pass for $75.

Both Warren and Mahaffey said that their businesses are

committed to the university but need their lots for their

guests.