I requested a report from the Chief of Police on the parking conditions around Ripon College, in light of the change in the parking ordinances in 2007, and the closure of the streets though the campus in 2008. This report will be discussed at the February 10th Council meeting:
Introduction
This report will review parking and traffic flow issues in the Ripon College area. This area includes the area inside the following streets: Thorne Street, Ransom St. ,State St., Elm St, Congress St. and Union Street
In the summer of 2007 the City of Ripon was presented with parking concerns by residents of this area. On July 25, 2007 the Council authorized the elimination of parking on the south Side of Thorne Street from Union St. to Woodside Ave. On September 11, 2007 the council further restricted parking from 3-6 a.m. on streets recommended by the Police Chief between September 1 and May 1 annually:
Thorne Street from Union Street east to Watson Street (North Side)
Thorne Street from Watson Street west to Woodside Ave (South Side)
Ransom Street from State Street south to Seward Street (West Side)
Seward Street from Ransom Street to Woodside Avenue (Both Sides)
Woodside Ave from Thorne Street to Oak Street (West Side)
Lincoln Street from Thorne Street to Oak Street (West Side)
In addition parking was restricted:
No Parking “This side of Street” Oak Street (South Side)
I believe that the above parking restrictions have eliminated the long term parking of motor vehicles on the streets in the vicinity of Ripon College. I believe the safe flow of traffic in this area has been improved as well. These restrictions when combined with the City’s winter parking restrictions that are in effect from November 15 – March 31st each year have taken care of the majority of parking concerns in the Ripon College area.
Closure of Elm Street and Seward Street
The Council also approved the closure of Elm Street and Seward Street between Congress Street and Woodside Avenue which was requested by Ripon College for construction of a pedestrian walkway through Ripon College. The appearance of the college walkway and the ease and safety of pedestrians has certainly improved. The elimination of viable parking spaces on Seward Street and Elm Street is certainly noticeable in increased parking congestion on the following streets:
Congress Street, from Elm Street west to Locust (Both Sides) we will have to restrict parking on the entire North Side of this street, when the weather improves because of traffic difficulties on Congress Street.
Elm Street, from Congress Street north to State Street (Both Sides)
Seward Street, from Woodside Avenue east to Ransom Street (Both Sides)
I have also received numerous complaints via telephone and in person regarding the lack of parking to get to events at Ripon College and the congestion mentioned above. The only solution I see to this would be increased development and construction of Ripon College Campus parking lots.
Parking citations issued
From 10/01/2007 to 11/15/2007 - 23 parking citations were issued in the above restricted parking zones.
From 04/01/2008 to 11/15/2008 - 223 parking citations were issued in the above restricted parking zones
