A local tourist attraction has experienced some problems with the city's new parking kiosks.
A number of visitors at the Seward House in Auburn have received tickets after parking in the city lot adjacent to the museum.
Since the city removed the individual meters, some visitors have not known to pay at the kiosk, according to Heather Marks, the museum's outreach coordinator.
The parking lot has two entrances to Lincoln Street, one of which has been well-marked with “Pay to Park” signs. But the easternmost entrance, closest to the Seward House, has been lacking signage, Marks said.
“Our concern has been that they don't know they need to pay,” she said Friday.
Marks said museum staff have been trying to remind visitors that they need to pay for parking at the kiosks. But if a large group comes in, it can be hard to get the word to everyone, she said.
“We don't feel like we should have to warn people all the time,” Marks said.
Marks said museum staff notified the city of the issue, and a second sign was installed at the western entrance. She then called the city to request one of the signs be moved to the other entrance.
City officials told her Friday morning that they would fix the sign situation. At approximately noon, the eastern entrance was marked with a portable “Pay to Park” sign.
Marks is not trying to “stir up trouble” with the city, she said. But as summer approaches, so does the museum's busiest season. Staff and volunteers will not be able to remind all of the thousands of visitors to pay for parking.
“I think it can affect (a visitor's) image of Auburn,” Marks said. “Tourism is a big industry here in Auburn. People come to Auburn, eat at restaurants. You really hate to see them get a parking ticket.”
City Manager Mark Palesh said he is looking into fixing the signage issue in the parking lot. Palesh added that he has not received many major complaints about the kiosks since the city installed them in February.
“This was the only one I have heard of in a long time,” Palesh said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
Since the city removed the individual meters, some visitors have not known to pay at the kiosk, according to Heather Marks, the museum's outreach coordinator.
The parking lot has two entrances to Lincoln Street, one of which has been well-marked with “Pay to Park” signs. But the easternmost entrance, closest to the Seward House, has been lacking signage, Marks said.
“Our concern has been that they don't know they need to pay,” she said Friday.
Marks said museum staff have been trying to remind visitors that they need to pay for parking at the kiosks. But if a large group comes in, it can be hard to get the word to everyone, she said.
“We don't feel like we should have to warn people all the time,” Marks said.
Marks said museum staff notified the city of the issue, and a second sign was installed at the western entrance. She then called the city to request one of the signs be moved to the other entrance.
City officials told her Friday morning that they would fix the sign situation. At approximately noon, the eastern entrance was marked with a portable “Pay to Park” sign.
Marks is not trying to “stir up trouble” with the city, she said. But as summer approaches, so does the museum's busiest season. Staff and volunteers will not be able to remind all of the thousands of visitors to pay for parking.
“I think it can affect (a visitor's) image of Auburn,” Marks said. “Tourism is a big industry here in Auburn. People come to Auburn, eat at restaurants. You really hate to see them get a parking ticket.”
City Manager Mark Palesh said he is looking into fixing the signage issue in the parking lot. Palesh added that he has not received many major complaints about the kiosks since the city installed them in February.
“This was the only one I have heard of in a long time,” Palesh said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
The Citizens' Say
There are 4 comment(s)
OMG wrote on May 13, 2008 7:35 AM:
ethan wrote on May 12, 2008 5:29 PM:
TommyO wrote on May 12, 2008 5:26 PM:
In the dead of winter when Auburn needs the business downtown your Kiosks will drive them away. Very few people especially Senior Citizens are going be estactic about trudging through snow drifts to pay to park. I'm middle aged and personally think they are not the answer to downtown parking & problems. Remove the kiosks, skip the meters & make parking free. If employees are the worst deadbeats go back on the employer to enforce as they stand to lose or gain the most from prospective customers. Ideas from other areas are always welcome but not always able to be implemented in certain areas.
Tom Ostrander
Auburn
"
tigerboots wrote on May 12, 2008 4:35 PM: