Byron Kimball | Staff Writer
Students attempting to avoid buying a parking permit may be in for a surprise. Recent changes to how parking will be enforced in downtown Monmouth are set to impact students parking at numerous local businesses around the city.
Among these changes: two-hour parking spots will be more strictly monitored by Monmouth police, bringing an end to students camping out in front of Yeasty Beasty in order to avoid paying for an on-campus parking pass.
“We always want to encourage faculty staff and student to park on our campus when doing business here. We have tried hard to keep our permit prices down as much as possible and still provide ample parking and maintain our lots,” said Darin E. Silbernagel, Director of Business Services for Western.
The change, according to Russ Cooper, Public Works Director for the City of Monmouth, was driven by local business owners.
“(Businesses) were asking for us to be more vigilant about enforcing parking,” said Cooper.
What can students do to avoid being cited? Buying a parking permit, namely. There’s no word on whether unmarked spots along Church Street and Stadium Drive are still safe, though students may still be able to park there without a problem.
“Students need to comply with the rules, both here on campus and in the City of Monmouth, depending on where they are at the time,” advised Silbernagel. “When students, faculty and staff are frequenting downtown business, it is completely appropriate to park downtown. When students are here on campus, we would like them to obtain the appropriate parking permit.”
Appropriate parking permits can be purchased online through WolfWeb and picked up at the Business Services office on the first floor of the Administration building. Permits are available for annual and per-term rates, with prices ranging from $47 for a per-term permit and up to $99 for a full-year hang tag permit.
Contact the author at bkimball16@wou.edu
Photo by: Paul F. Davis
