Owners of Gaslight Village parking ramp to begin charging for its use

By Madison Bennett | MLive

East Grand Rapids residents are left upset and questioning why the owners of a parking ramp in Gaslight Village made a recent decision to begin charging for using it.

Starting in 2019, the first 30 minutes at the parking ramp will be free. Visitors will be charged $1.25 every half hour after the free period is up, and the daily maximum is $15, according to CWD Real Estate Investment.

CWD recently shared the information with tenants and the Gaslight Village Business Association.

The East Grand Rapids Gaslight Village Facebook page shared a post in November announcing that the privately-owned parking ramp would soon begin charging for parking.

The ramp is owned by Jade Pig Ventures and managed by CWD. Requests for comment were deferred to CWD by Jade Pig and CWD Property Manager Toni Rerup declined to comment.

At the time, the GVBA did not have much information and a series of messages on Gaslight’s Facebook page from residents and community members expressed anger and confusion by the change. The garage had formerly been free for visitors in the area to use.

Facebook user Nancy Lundquist said that charging for parking ramp use is a “deal breaker” for her.

“Not going to fight the lights and congestion of accessing Gaslight from the north side of EGR,” Lundquist said. “Ramp made it possible during busy times. Will be easier to shop in Forest Hills.”

Grand Rapids resident Erika Sparks said the change is a “big disappointment.”

“In an area that is already hard to find parking in, the news of having to pay to park makes me less inclined to bring my business to this area,” Sparks said. “I feel that it is doing a great disservice to our community to charge parking where we have already been able to park for free.”

The city has been left in the dark as to what spurred the change and according to City Manager Brian Donovan, city officials did not have any updated information on when or how the change will work, as of Thursday, Dec. 20.

“Gaslight Village Business Association will continue to share information on the privately-owned parking structure as soon as it becomes available to us,” Todd Cooper, GVBA president said. “We remain committed to building a thriving business district filled with restaurants and retailers offering unique products, services and experiences.”

For those who are unable to pay or wish to park elsewhere, other options include free street parking and a public parking lot located on Croswell Street.

This post originally appeared Dec. 21, 2018 on MLive.com.