OUR PLACE

 Parking rates are going up.
With the potential of another parking rate increase in Lake Geneva the business improvement district is brainstorming for solutions. The parking rate increase is only a suggestion at this point, brought up at the last public works department as a possible solution to the decreased parking revenue collected this past season. The public works committee voted to continue the discussion to the next meeting for further review before sending the issue, or not sending it, to the finance, license, and regulation committee.

Somehow it was sent and added to the agenda of the Finance, License, and Regulation Committee meeting. One of the problems the BID President, Speedo Condos, discussed was the lack of parking in the downtown and the possibility of the city adding additional parking lots and a shuttle service for those who use them. This is a great idea in theory but, in reality, it has a lot of moving parts like; where would it go, who would use it locals, visitors, or both, who would provide the shuttle, where would the funds to pay for the shuttle come from, and what would the hours of operation be?

A lot of unanswered questions. The business owners believe its employees would benefit from this solution, as they struggle with parking. The business owners agree that the employees should not be parking right in the downtown, occupying spaces of potential patrons. Mayor Klein suggested that the business owners provide the shuttle service and that the future goat cleared grass lot in Hillmoor be the first trial lot.

Person of the Week

Tom Earle, director of public works, is in his element when talking about how to make sure any new parks department is under his leadership.