Three hours free parking ends in most downtown La Crosse parking ramps

The three hours of free parking in most downtown La Crosse ramps ends Monday.

Drivers will now be charged $1 an hour from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an $8 max.

That ends a 20-year tradition of free parking for three hours before having to pay for a space.

Free parking at night and on weekends will continue at all of those ramps.

A report to city leaders issued last year found that allowing three hours of free parking during the day was depriving the city about $13,000 a year in potential revenue, which could be used to pay those who monitor the ramps.

The new schedule applies to the four ramps at the La Crosse Center, Market Square, Main Street and Pine Street.

The Riverside Ramp, directly south of the Center, allows free parking at all times.