Some residents around the area are excited about the new program that will eliminate more than 700 public parking spots while others are concerned that the parking problems on the East Side will worsen.

As students start school on Tuesday, commuters who used to park on certain streets around campus could have a surprise if they don’t read the new signs. The long awaited, Residential Preferred Parking program started Tuesday, where only residents with permits can park on numerous streets around campus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Under the new program, up to two cars per residency will be eligible for parking permits on their designated street. Some residents around the area are excited about the new program that will eliminate more than 700 public parking spots while others are concerned that the parking problems on the East Side will worsen.

But nonresidents are not as sure about the program. Ben Bretl, an Iowa resident, often visited friends on Milwaukee’s East Side but always had trouble parking. “Even when I’ve called my car in, I’ve still gotten tickets,” said Bretl. “They make it so difficult.” Not only will drivers have to watch for streets advertising RPP, they will also have to keep track of bimonthly street sweeping and move their cars when it snows more than four inches.

The start of RPP comes as no surprise to Student Association (SA) President Rob Grover. The program was initially set to start April 1, but the student association and students successfully lobbied the city to push the date back so it wouldn’t start in the middle of a semester.

With the program underway, Grover is trying to bring awareness to students and make it easier for students to take part in RPP. Under current regulations, residents must change the address on their driver’s license in order to get a permit. Grover said the SA is working with neighborhood relations and other university officials to change the rule, allowing students to bring in a utility bill or lease rather than change their license.

While it could take a couple of months for drivers to get used to the new program, Cecilia Gilbert, spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Department of Public Works, has faith that people will adjust calling it part of a “learning curve.” Gilbert said that when the city initiated street sweeping on the East Side four years ago, there were huge numbers of violations, but the numbers have lessened.

All of the streets under RPP will have signs clearly marking the new program. “You will not have to guess,” Gilbert said. “Make sure you read the signs.”

Commuters may no longer be able to park on the street, but there is parking available in the Klotsche Pavilion off of Downer Avenue, said Claude Schuttey, UWM director of planning and construction. Parking is available there for 70 cents an hour versus 80 cents elsewhere.

To check out more RPP go to: http://www.mpw.net/Pages/pnew.html#12

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