Sunday parking fee goes into effect

The city of Newark officially began charging for parking on Sunday's this past weekend. The new fee, in effect for metered spots and municipal lots on Main Street from 1 p.m. on Sunday until 1 a.m. Monday, has drawn skepticism from businesses on Main Street and from many university students.

The decision was made because city officials estimate the Sunday parking fees will bring in approximately $68,000 per year, helping to generate revenue lost due to the state of the economy and the heavy snow removal.


Some students who would normally park in city lots and meters on Sundays said they are angered by this decision.


Sophomore Paul McCool said he thinks the shops on Main Street will lose a lot of their business because people will not want to pay to drive there.


"I just may not go to Main Street anymore," McCool said. "If I need something from Happy Harry's, then I'll just go to Rite Aid or if I want food on Main Street, I'll just order delivery."


Senior Adam Feder said he was outraged when he heard about the fee.


Feder said the city should have found a different way to raise money.


"The fact that they had free parking was one of the best parts about Newark, and now I'm going to have to find a different way to park so I'll probably use lots around campus," Feder said.


Feder added that the fee negatively affects Greek life because most chapters have their weekly meetings on Sunday nights in classrooms around campus.


Junior Kelsey Graham said she feels the fee is not fair, especially since many students have been here for three or four years and now they suddenly must pay for parking.


"Some meters charge 12 minutes for a quarter which is so expensive for college students," Graham said. "People get enough tickets as it is around here."


Junior Michelle Friedberg thinks the institution of the fee is ridiculous. Friedberg said that if she received a ticket she didn't know about, she would try to fight paying for it.


"Newark already tries to take so much money from us and now they want more," Friedberg said.