Parking Board Backtracks, Lowers Proposed Ramp Rate

In the last 30 years, La Crosse has earned a reputation as ‘the town with free parking’…and many downtown business people don’t want that to change.

With many business owners in attendance on Wednesday, the city’s parking utility board reversed a vote taken last week setting hourly rates for parking in ramps. Board member Dan Wettstein asked for a new vote, arguing that the previous decision was too hasty.

The newly-adopted policy cuts the proposed ramp rate in half, to 75 cents an hour. It also preserves the two-hour parking window on the street.  The parking board is expected to decide next month when the ramp rates will go into effect.