This parking action plan was a comprehensive approach that was designed to minimise resistance to parking fee increases by appealing to the diverse interest groups of Washington State University (WSU). Elements of the plan included (a) increasing the level of service to permit holders by implementing a zone parking system, (b) increasing the parking supply where it is critically needed by means of a parking structure, and (c) improving existing facilities that are hazardous and inadequate. After 20 years of stable permit fees, which really means 20 years of declining fees in real dollars, the university community was confronted with the choice of the phased-in permit fee increases that are described here, or more precipitous increases later. No other choice was available, assuming that the desire existed to improve the parking system. Thousands of dollars had already been spent on studying the parking problems. In April 1989, the WSU faculty senate voted unanimously to adopt this parking plan. Three weeks later, the plan was approved by the WSU board of regents and scheduled for implementation in the fall of 1990.
Abstract