Workers urged to use ramps in downtown La Crosse, leave street parking to customers

Get off the street, and get into the ramps. 

That’s the advice once again for people who work in downtown La Crosse. 

The city’s long-time parking consultant, Rich and Associates, repeats the frequent complaint that downtown workers are taking on-street parking away from potential customers. 

Dave Burr with the Rich company tells La Crosse’s board of public works that businesses could make more money if there was more parking turnover, with more customers using the parking to spend money downtown.  

Consultant Burr says this would not be a good time to start charging for curbside spots, because business has already been depressed by the coronavirus. 

The Rich company says the city might have to consider increasing the pay-to-park areas set up around UW-L. 

Burr says his study shows college students avoiding the blocks where they would have to pay to park, and going to residential streets where on-street parking remains free.