2008 Woodie Awards
Parking complaints prompt change
Rose Bittner
Issue date: 2/13/06 Section: News
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The number of monthly parking citations coming up for appeal lately is so high that UMKC started conducting review meetings twice a month instead of only once, a Parking Operations employee said.
"I send 112 parking appeals per month," said Kawanna McDaniel. "Most of those appeals are denied."
Revenues from parking violations have brought in $60,176 more than they did this time last year, said Michelle Cone, director of Parking Operations.
More revenue is good news for Parking Operations. The department gets money only from parking fines ($20 and higher), permits ($79 a semester) and meters (75 cents an hour). None of that makes students happy.
Most of the complaints Cone has heard recently are from Hospital Hill students.
"Hospital Hill issues have taken years to resolve because they are very big issues," said Cone. "The planning and organization for this project has taken longer than the actual building."
About 1,200 new parking spaces will be available to Hospital Hill students in November 2006. The new Hospital Hill parking garage cost $17 million and has been under construction since August.
"Parking decisions are driven by the needs of constituents," Cone said.
All the truly grand parking decisions are made by the UMKC Administration, according to Cone. Although Parking Operations has little to do with those decisions, they still have to pay for them and no University funds are used.
"If you are spending $17 million, you want to make sure there are going to be enough spaces in the right place," said Cone. "You want to spend that money wisely."
This year parking permits cost students 10 percent more than last year. Parking Operations needs $2 million a year just to pay the debt on the new Hospital Hill parking garage and Rockhill Road garage on the main campus.
Cone doesn't think there is much that can be done to reduce parking costs for students. Beyond debt requirements, Parking Operations needs money to maintain garages and pay their staff.
"I send 112 parking appeals per month," said Kawanna McDaniel. "Most of those appeals are denied."
Revenues from parking violations have brought in $60,176 more than they did this time last year, said Michelle Cone, director of Parking Operations.
More revenue is good news for Parking Operations. The department gets money only from parking fines ($20 and higher), permits ($79 a semester) and meters (75 cents an hour). None of that makes students happy.
Most of the complaints Cone has heard recently are from Hospital Hill students.
"Hospital Hill issues have taken years to resolve because they are very big issues," said Cone. "The planning and organization for this project has taken longer than the actual building."
About 1,200 new parking spaces will be available to Hospital Hill students in November 2006. The new Hospital Hill parking garage cost $17 million and has been under construction since August.
"Parking decisions are driven by the needs of constituents," Cone said.
All the truly grand parking decisions are made by the UMKC Administration, according to Cone. Although Parking Operations has little to do with those decisions, they still have to pay for them and no University funds are used.
"If you are spending $17 million, you want to make sure there are going to be enough spaces in the right place," said Cone. "You want to spend that money wisely."
This year parking permits cost students 10 percent more than last year. Parking Operations needs $2 million a year just to pay the debt on the new Hospital Hill parking garage and Rockhill Road garage on the main campus.
Cone doesn't think there is much that can be done to reduce parking costs for students. Beyond debt requirements, Parking Operations needs money to maintain garages and pay their staff.
