THE BRIGHT SIDE

Paid parking year around has been up for discussion at previous city meetings for some time.
City officials have been concerned that visitors might be confused about when to pay or not to pay for parking, not to mention how to pay. Lake Geneva only has two months of free parking a year, down from three just a couple of years ago, and now some people in leadership want no free parking at all. Parking Manager Seth Elder crunched the numbers in his study, and, after paying staff to monitor parking and maintain equipment, the parking department might ‘make’ a profit.

The Finance, Licensing, and Regulation Committee formally voted on the issue at last week’s meeting, but not before hearing from those most affected by the idea. The downtown business owners came out and spoke in opposition to eliminating the little bit of free parking still available. Spyro Condos owner of Speedos Harborside Grill, and Chair of the Business Improvement District (BID), was the first of several to speak. Spyro has openly shared his desire to have no paid parking in Lake Geneva and is not on board with this latest idea.

The amount of free parking left is a marketing tool that businesses use during the winter months to bring visitors and locals to the downtown.  There is no question at all that a thriving downtown is important to the city. Some residents of neighboring communities don’t come to Lake Geneva for most of the summer to avoid paying for parking, and the heavy traffic incurred at that time of the year. The free parking time is their time to enjoy the city. Several others spoke and understand that revenue is important but agree that Lake Geneva is not desperate for more income and can bring in revenue in other ways. The committee listened to comments and voted “no” unanimously. Lake Geneva will continue to have free parking from November 15th through January 31st.