Wausau City Hall. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau’s Capital Improvements and Street Maintenance Committee discussed a proposal to allow residents to park their vehicles in downtown ramps during snow emergencies if they run out of places to park on their property.
The item was brought up during Thursday’s meeting and led to about 15 minutes of discussion. Alder Lisa Rasmussen said it’s possible the city could find room for some extra cars in the downtown ramps during the overnight hours, but for many, that could be inconvenient. “The idea is that those people would be able to take their vehicle downtown and then leave it, locked, during the snow emergency, and then get themselves back home.”
She adds that the downtown ramp idea is one of a few that could be explored, saying there are other under-utilized spots that could be opened up during a snow emergency. Additionally, she doesn’t see that as a permanent fix because some of the ramp space will be taken up when the first downtown development at the former Center Mall site comes online in a few years.
Alder Gary Gisselman called the proposal a non-starter, saying he feels the city’s snow emergency ordinance is fine as-is. “The authority that we have with regard to snow emergencies is finely crafted. I know the streets in my neighborhood a lot of cars found their way to other spots in the city during [the last] snow emergency.”
The Committee took no action, tabling the matter to their April meeting while asking for more input on how many parking spaces are leased in each downtown ramp. Rasmussen said those who’ve paid to park in them need first dibs on spots during the day.
“[There has to be] preference given to parking stalls for people who pay for permits. The Sears ramp has some of that and Jefferson Street has some of that. [The JcPenny ramp] probably not so much,” added Rasmussen.
The ordinance, as written, calls for a $100 fine and towing for any vehicle parked in such a way that it would impede snow removal operations. Snow emergencies are typically called for to allow city crews to clear streets, but the ordinance also gives flexibility for temporary even/odd parking restrictions or to prohibit parking in some areas to allow streets to be cleared curb to curb.
The discussion came at the request of District 6 Alder Becky McElhaney. She said she’s heard complaints from some of her residents who live in duplexes and don’t have enough room to park all their vehicles on their property.
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