Parking revenue profitable

IU Parking Operations stands to gain almost twice the amount of revenues from parking violations as Indianapolis this year. \nIn 2001, $1.2 million were collected in fines for the city of Indianapolis, with the same amount being budgeted for this year, according to Peter McGommery, director of the city's Ordinance Violations Bureau. \nEstimates for the fiscal year of 2002 predict $2.1 million in revenue from just parking tickets on the IU-Bloomington campus, said Douglas Porter, Manager of IU Parking Operations. These amounts have remained consistent with no rate change in four years. \nAll funds from meters, garages, fines and permits on campus are dedicated to parking expenses, including routine supplies and salaries. Nothing is provided by the state or through tuition. \nThe money is used on maintenance, like paving gravel lots, or creating parking places. The new 11th Street and Fee Lane Parking Garage cost $5.5 million, Porter said. \nSeptember typically has a high rate of citations at 9,000, while there is an average of 85,000 tickets written each year. There is no quota that must be met, said Stan Easton, Supervisor of Parking Enforcement. \nAccording to the Parking Operations Web site, "C," "D," and "E" permits may park in any non 24-hour space after 5 p.m. until 7 a.m., Monday through Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. \nUsually five Parking Operations employees are on duty from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for parking enforcement. Their approach each day is random, with each lot surveyed twice.\nIU Police Department covers any off hours, but can write a ticket at any time. Often they begin patrolling circle drives as early as 5 p.m.\nAll cars are subject to immediate towing if parked by a yellow curb.\n"(Using hazards) draws attention to the parking officer that you are in fact illegally parked," the Parking Operations Web site states. \nThe 19,000 spaces on campus are primarily divided into certain designated lots. Garages are free from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all weekend to any permit holders, as well as IU owned parking lots off Dunn Street by the Kirkwood shopping area. \n"E" permit parking lots are available for purchase by anyone, including non-students, and have never been completely filled. Fines range from $20 for an expired meter or $35 for no valid permit to $200 for a fraudulent permit. If not paid within ten days, the amount is charged to the Bursar and can affect receiving grades or financial aid. \nEach year 200 to 300 permits are stolen, Easton said. Nearly 25 percent are recovered and the situation brought to the Dean of Students with possible police involvement. \nOver 3,000 "D" permits are distributed by Residential Programs and Services for convenience to students living in dorms. At nearly one permit per space, these lots are not designed as access to class buildings, Porter said. \nOn a late weeknight, sophomore Bridget Burkot chose to park in a "C" area instead of her designated area. Because she was alone, she wanted to park close to her residence at Willkie, but no "D" slots were available in the lot.\nThe next morning she had a ticket, but the next car without any permit did not receive a fine. Porter said she plans on appealing the ticket.\n"People know there is an empty space some place," said Porter, who feels most problems are not a matter of availability but convenience. \nJay Eubanks was visiting friends at Willkie on a Thursday night. He parked next to a yellow curb in a circle drive. \nThe car was towed at 10:30, a half-hour after receiving a $30 ticket for a "Fire Drive Violation." Two days later, Eubanks paid $80 to release his car from Extreme Towing. \n"Where do they want me to park? They just don't use logic," Eubanks said, referring to circumstances that keep people from moving their car as soon as expected. \n"We try not to tow unless it is completely blocking the drive," Porter said. \nBurkot feels that at night and on weekends, "C" spots, typically reserved for Graduate Assistants and Associate Instructors, should be available to "D" permit holders. \nVisitor parking lots should also be considered, according to Eubanks, who feels it would save money and time, which can be spent on other parts of the University.