Parking ticket hike among proposed changes in Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — If you live in or visit Bloomington, you may have to fork over more money for a parking ticket. 

Parking tickets could go up by $10 in the college town, and it’s part of a series of sweeping proposed changes. 

Another possible change would limit the time where it would be free to park. 

More than 1,000 parking spaces exist in Bloomington, but drivers and city leaders said they know sometimes it’s very hard to find parking. At times, no parking is available throughout the downtown.  

City officials found two ways to fix that: Raise rates or remove free parking. They’re looking to do both. A decision on these changes could come at the city council meeting next week. 

Parking tickets will go up from $20 to $30. Garage parking, which has been free for three hours, would only be for 60 minutes. 

“The concern I have is whether this is a grab for as much revenue as the city can get,” said Malcolm Webb, who works downtown. 

Some of that money will go to maintaining the garages, a constant and sometimes expensive effort. Some downtown drivers were OK with that. 

“If they are not going back (to the garage), then they have to pay,” said Naciye Hajun, who parked downtown, about the possible shortened free parking. 

Others fear it could turn people away from downtown. The city hopes it will bring more turnover to parking spots to bring more people downtown. The increased fine could also stop repeat ticket offenders from staying past the expired meter, per city leaders.     

“It will add some costs to the parking. It may not affect my life as much as it would affect other people,” Webb said.

It’s no secret Bloomington is a college town. Some students are concerned about the possible rising fees. But, parking tickets on Indiana University’s campus is $50.