PARKING LOTS

Research in Progress

PARKING LOTS. The Parking Committee of the DUBUQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE studied twenty-four lots that might be available for municipal parking in 1941. Work on the study began after the Iowa Legislature passed a law permitting cities to levy a tax not in excess of one-half mill in any fiscal year and to operate parking lots. Two sub-committees had been involved with one investigating sites north of Eighth Street while the other worked south of the same road. (1)

In 1946 a report was made that the four small parking lots in the business district provided space for a total of only ninety cars. Based on the estimate that the four sides of a block provided parking space for forty cars, a parking lot would accommodate enough cars to clear two and one-half blocks. (2)

The issue of parking lots was linked to the decision of installing PARKING METERS. According to an editorial in the Telegraph-Herald of January 23, 1949, meters installed in April, 1947 took in nearly $39,000 the first year. The total taken in by the middle of January, 1949 was nearly $87,000. Part of the income was to go to payments for the meters and operating expenses. By legislative act, according to the editorial, meter money could be used to purchase property for off-street parking lots. The retail bureau had made the suggestion that meter monies be "officially pledged for the sole purpose of acquiring and improving off-street parking lots with the final goal being free parking areas." According to the editorial, the council had agreed with several of the recommendations of the bureau for off-street parking. (3)

By 1949 discussions over whether a person should occupy a space all day by simply "plugging the meter" over and over again were again linked to the issue of whether the city had failed to provide parking lots--off street parking. It was proposed in June, 1949 that a two-storied parking lot on Robinson Street behind stores on Eighth Avenue would handle about four hundred cars. Edwin B. LYONS suggested that at least eight hundred cars had to be taken off the streets and that parking meter funds could be used to parking lot construction. (4)

It was the position of the Telegraph-Herald editorial board in 1950 that meters and adequate off-street parking projects should have been planned to go together. (5)

The development of parking lots had been one of two priorities of Richard Holcomb, a member of the University of Iowa Department of Public Affairs. Holcomb had been hired to suggest ways of solving traffic problems in Dubuque. His first suggestion had been to establish a police traffic division. His second suggestion was a group of ground level, off street parking lots rather than a large city operated parking garage which would be centrally located. Such a series of lots would be preferred due to Dubuque's long, narrow business district. John KINTZINGER, the city solicitor, pointed out that prior city councils had not approved of the use of bonds which made non-motorists pay for facilities they did not use. Legal authorities on municipal bonds had refused to endorse their use with only meter income backing. The legality of meters had never been established by the courts and there was no guarantee that meters might not be "voted off the streets" by future city councils. (6)

In November, 1950 the council unanimously adopted a resolution that off-street parking spaces were "necessary" and "convenient." It also set a public hearing for December 4th on whether the city should operate a parking lot on the east side of Iowa Street between Ninth and 10th STREETS. The city had attempted to purchase a quarter block, but found that owners of the land had asked for more money than the council had chosen to spend. Condemnation proceedings were authorized. Earlier in the year, the city had purchased another quarter block in the area for $40,000 out of the parking meter fund. (7)

Recent construction of two city-owned lots with money from parking meter revenue cost the city $186,000. In 1952 this left the fund with a small balance which City Manager Laverne SCHILTZ said eliminated plans for new parking lots. One exception was the potential for "Library Park," a small parking lot, at 11th and Bluff. Schiltz believed future lots would be constructed three or four blocks from the business district on cheaper land. (8)

The city-owned parking lot on Bluff between 8th Avenue and Ninth Street. Cars on the extreme right are parked in a private lot owned by the Telegraph-Herald. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

When interviewed later in the year, the city manager had extended that distance to four or five blocks. In 1952 the city owned two public parking areas. The one on Bluff between Eighth Avenue and 9th Street was used up to 95% of its capacity on most days and filled on Friday afternoon and evening. The lot on Iowa Street between Ninth and 10 streets was used to about 60% capacity except on Friday, a busy shopping day. Schiltz noted that the trend for new store or office building owners to include parking space in their plans. (9)

In 1953 city goals included street improvements, new parking lots, a second municipal swimming pool, and smoke control. City officials announced that they had $80,000 earmarked for new parking lots including $40,000 left over from 1952. It was estimated that this amount of money would purchase enough land to accommodate between 60 and 80 cars. (10)

In February, 1955 Mayor Charles KINTZINGER stated that Dubuque businesses had to realize they would be serving themselves if they provided parking lots near their businesses. While the city had carried out a thorough study of the traffic problem, cooperation was needed in carrying out a successful program. (11)

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Source:

1. "2 Committees Finish Survey," Telegraph-Herald, May 18, 1941, p. 22

2. Tyson, H. G. "Parking Rules Are Defended," Telegraph-Herald, April 14, 1946, p. 17

3. "Dubuque Parking Lots," Telegraph-Herald (editorial), January 23, 1949, p. 22

4. "Parking Lots Urged at Forum," Telegraph-Herald, June 10, 1949, p. 7

5. "Where Do We Park?," Telegraph-Herald (editorial), November 26, 1950, p. 8

6. "UI Expert Urges Police Traffic," Telegraph-Herald, April 25, 1950, p. 3

7. "Yes, We Want Parking Lots," Telegraph-Herald, November 7, 1950, p. 9

8. "No Plans for New Parking Lots, But City Eyes 'Library Park," Telegraph-Herald, February 24, 1952, p. 17

9. "'Fringe' Parking Lots Still Needed--Schiltz," Telegraph-Herald, Sept. 14, 1952, p. 18

10. "More Lots For Parking High on List," Telegraph-Herald, January 4, 1953, p. 1

11. "Businessmen Should Provide Parking Spots, Kintzinger Says," Telegraph-Herald, February 22, 1955