I know Naperville gets a ton of great press for being la-la land. But I would not have moved here if it did not have full-service commuter rail. Crystal Lake sure seemed nice. Leafier. Quieter. Cheaper. But the train service was not sufficient. Deal-breaker.

Unfortunately, I didn't realize that Naperville did not offer full-service communter train PARKING. The joke was on me.

And 'Anonymous,' I wish Aurora WOULD step up and enforce some rules, too, and kick out the Naperville commuters who are parking where they shouldn't. Maybe then the powers-that-be in Naperville would hear the noise and wake up. Sadly, Aurora is just going through the motions in typical 'Chicago Way' style, just like Naperville.

I know Chicagolanders get all upset when somebody says maybe we shoulder consider what successfully works in the suburbs of places like Boston, New York and Washington ...

... But this mess in downtown Naperville could get cleaned up a little bit if some basic rules were implemented and enforced: Naperville residents only park in the Naperville commuter train parking lots. And residents would get their parking passes renewed when they flash their current long-term train pass. No exceptions.

Enforcing actual rules would not completely fix the situation, of course. There'd still be a wait list until the parking decks get built. But it would be a big step toward being fair. Imagine that!

Now with those rules in place, those who can no longer selfishly hoard their parking permits would have to take the Pace bus to the train if they want to go “shopping a couple days per month in Chicago.” (I've actually read this as an excuse for hoarding. Unreal.) Or if their bosses actually require telecommuters to work in Chicago a few days a month. (A slightly better excuse, but still lame.) Or if they finally get that job in Chicago that they don't actually have right now. (Give me a break!)

With the ex-hoarders and non-residents all in an uproar, maybe then we'll all start hearing some public noise about how the Route 59 and Downtown stations desperately need commuter parking decks. If the hoarders get ignored, at least the new system will be fairer for Napervillers who actually would USE the daily spots. And we know they'd be using them because they'd have to show actual proof that they intend to ride the train that quarter/month/whatever-works-best.

‘Anonymous,’ you, me and 20 of our friends could play a full game of flag football at 8:30 every morning in the empty paces of the Parkview Lot, which is located just steps from the Chicago-bound platform. It's insulting. On typical March and April mornings of this year, I've counted up to 150 empty parking spaces as the final express train of the day left the station. Absolutely ridiculous.

Elected officials are getting a free pass on this issue, and I don't understand why.

Nobody seems to be hearing/reading our complaints. Apparently, we are not loud enough.

By Fletcha on June 20, 2008 12:29 PM
-- non-residents are allowed to buy Naperville train parking passes in the first place;

Be very careful Fletcha.....many of your fine Napervillian neighbors probably have permits on the overflowing Aurora side of the Rt 59 lot. If we want to take all of the permits back from non-residents and allow residents only permits that will open up a whole new can of worms. I have many friends in Aurora who would be thrilled with your plan. What about our friends in Plainfield, Bolingbrook, and other towns that have no train station? These nice people need to be able to park and get to work too.

The City council of Aurora is set to vote next Tuesday to double the permit fees in Aurora to follow Naperville. Necessary? Probably not. Just another case of keeping up with the Jones'.

Not sure what a "real" solution would be except for parking decks. However, how long do you think it would take to exit the parking deck after a rush hour express train. Some days it takes up to 20 minutes just to get out of the flat lot. Assigning spaces and having a "swipe card" or pay as you enter system to get in would be a must. Could you imagine trying to pay as you exit???

I hope someone finds the right answer and takes some action. Things are only going to get worse if they don't.

Congratulations to the Naperville Sun for its fine investigative piece about the constant breakdown of the SmartCard machines! Good work! Keep up the top-notch public advocacy!

I mean, it's only constantly been happening at the Route 59 Station for the six (6) years I've lived here.

Next, the Sun will probably “expose” how during an average non-summer weekday morning after the final Metra express has left for Chicago (8:25 a.m.) you can find anywhere between 60 (sixty) and 150 (one hundred fifty) EMPTY parking spaces at any one of the three main parking lots at Naperville's downtown train station!

And someday, our public watchdog might even write a barrage of news stories and editorials asking & answering why:

-- proof of a CURRENT monthly or 10-day Metra pass is currently NOT required when re-newing a long-term parking pass in order to eliminate the "just-in-case-I-need-it" hoarding;
-- non-residents are allowed to buy Naperville train parking passes in the first place;
-- there is no COMMUNTER-ONLY parking deck adjacent to the downtown train station; (cars with hangtags would only be allowed inside);
-- the “department” that oversees this mess is basically a lady reading off from a ridiculous waiting list while sitting in a cubicle in an air-conditioned office.

Can't wait, Sun! Keep up the outstanding work!

Marshall on June 19, 2008 1:38 PM
mail it to NAPERGATE@yahoo.com and it will be sent to 7-10k NAPERGATIANS in a mass e-mail.

______________________________________________________________

Thanks Marshall, I didn't know this existed. Can someone send an e-mail to the Napergate address and let them know to go to the strip mall being decimated by the bridge construction? If even 10% of those receiving the post shop there it would make a difference.

has anyone considered the possibility of privatizing the Rt 59 Station parking lot - work a joint venture deal with a developer to build a garage. The developer/operator would be responsibility for staffing, maintenance, etc. The city would contribute the land and offer a tax incentive. After a set time (20 years?) The city could then take title to the garage or the developer could buy out the city's interest for the land value.

By City Hall Insider on June 18, 2008 6:07 PM

You have a responsibility! Citizens have a right to know. The tax increase is the result of years of wild spending, overinflated budgets and sweet deals. It is time for a Napergate Blog so that insiders and people in the community have somewhere to go to post and read the truth instead of relying on the propoganda city hall churns out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

City Hall Insider,

It is believed the Naperville Sun in the last month or two is finally pretty much posting everything that is not libelous or profanity laced.

A few months ago it was not posting all letters. It appears they have had a change of policy and decided to post everything.

If any of your letters are not posted send them to NAPERGATE@yahoo.com and they will be e-mailed to the very large NAPERGATE e-mail list.

I believe the policy of NAPERGATE is only to mass mail letters that are rejected by the Naperville Sun. NAPERGATE prefers people post on the Sun Blog Site as it reaches the masses that may not be aware of the corruption and cronyism that are rampant in City Hall.

Most NAPERGATIANS are fully aware of how bad the situation in City Hall is, so it does not do any good to tell them what they already know...unless you have secret insider information that could be useful in exposing new CORRUPTION and CRONYISM!

Ted's Blog Sites are an excellent avenue to educate non-Napergatians who may not be aware how wasteful the City of Naperville is. The Naperville Sun appears at the moment to be allowing all of us to expose any corruption or cronyism.

Notice they published your letter. That should tell you they mean business.

But again if you or anyone may have a letter rejected by the Naperville Sun because it may be too hot for the Sun to handle, mail it to NAPERGATE@yahoo.com and it will be sent to 7-10k NAPERGATIANS in a mass e-mail. Be assured they will spread the word you are trying to spread as long as your information is accurate and truthful. Your information needs to be verified before it is spread on their network. Send proof whenever you can! They like to maintain their credibility that they built over a couple of decades.

Thanks for your contribution to the debate! We love to hear from CITY HALL INSIDERS!

"TRUTH - Everyday dozens of spaces sit empty at both train stations, but the city still has a waiting list of more than 7 years for some lots - only in government do they think that is OK."

From what I have read, the City doesn't think it is OK, but what do you suggest they do Insider? When people own parking permits and don't use them, there are going to be empty spots. Should the City try to anticipate how many spots will be empty on any given day and oversell? That will work until the day everyone decides to use their spot, and there is a shortage.

Why are there time limits on the parking decks anyways? Are they at capacity on any given weekday between 6am and 7pm? Why couldn't the city remove the limits and allow commuter parking between these hours? Wouldn't most of the commuters would be gone by the time the downtown crowd shows up for the evening.

TRUTH - The money commuters pay actually helps to fund the cost of many other city services. Last year the city tranfered 3 million out to cover general operating expenses. Uh-huh. Look it up. (http://www.naperville.il.us/emplibrary/FY09AnnualOpBudget-PropLibraryOther.pdf)

TRUTH - The manager referenced above by Loni was a republican politico with zero management experience and no real experience before Marshall hired her.

TRUTH - Almost all employees that work in downtown Naperville are required to pay for a parking permit, EXCEPT employees that work at City Hall.

TRUTH - Everyday dozens of spaces sit empty at both train stations, but the city still has a waiting list of more than 7 years for some lots - only in government do they think that is OK.

TRUTH - The Naperville City Council FINALLY approved a company to search for a new City Manager. Many of the Council members weren't clear on what role they would play in the hiring. Think I'm making it up - check it out on TV.

TRUTH - Yes, you guessed it, the highly unqualified guy that wants the job is the one overseeing the process and is purposely trying to keep the council out of the loop. He has already stacked the "hiring team" with his friends.

It is time to stop relying on this comment board to get the truth out. It is time for the Sun to STOP being so cozy with City Hall and really examine things. (The media relations girl at the city is a former Sun reporter. Former Sun reporters and editors have been known to go drinking with the old guard at city hall).

You have a responsibility! Citizens have a right to know. The tax increase is the result of years of wild spending, overinflated budgets and sweet deals. It is time for a Napergate Blog so that insiders and people in the community have somewhere to go to post and read the truth instead of relying on the propoganda city hall churns out.

Does anyone really think that any commuter in their right mind would forfeit/give-up their current parking permit? In a perfect world, you would be able to give up your permit if you didn't need it and if there were a change in need later you would be able to obtain a permit in a reasonable amount of time. However, that is not the case in Naperville OR Aurora. On the Aurora side of Rt. 59 they have issued too many permits and now once the permit spots are full, permit holders have the "right" to park anywhere they want.

Oh, and another wonderful thing.....the city of Naperville charges non-naperville residents more than residents for a permit. However, the City of Aurora charges all commuters the same amount for parking. Not sure who has the right idea.

Those of you who have lived in town for a while remember Moser Lumber where the Chirldren's Museum is now located. There used to be a lot of lumber barns in the back where the townhouses were built and before them they were coal yards. The City Council lacked foresight and planning when Moser closed to buy the land and develop a parking deck on that site... once again it was a win for the developers and a loss for the city.

The Children's Museum is constantly in financial difficulty. Finding a way for the museum to build and operate a private parking deck on their property would be a win for the museum and a win for the commuters.

The City of Naperville wants to (or already has... I'm not sure of the current status) create a TIF district to enrich yet another developer downtown. For those who don't know, the concept of a TIF was designed to remove blighted areas. If someone can find a blighted area ANYWHERE in Naperville, please share the address with everyone. What that means is everyone who will be involved with buying or owning various pieces of this choice, brand new property in a very desireable location in downtown Naperville will have their property taxes abated for something like 20 years. And a brand new house right down the street will be paying $40,000 a year in property taxes. And this makes sense to who?

Yet the city council refuses to address commuter parking. They refuse to buy additional property. They refuse to build parking decks. The infrastructure for moving commuter busses and taxi cabs is unsafe at best and only adds to dangerous congestion. The maintenance and improvements are at what could best be described as a "defered maintenance" level. For comparative purposes go out to the Rt 59 lot and compare the differences between the Naperville and Aurora side. Compare the differences especially in the winter and see how much better and how much earlier the City of Aurora clears snow. Maybe the City Council could do all of at the Rt 59 station a favor and contract with the City of Aurora to also do the maintenance on the Naperville side? At least the City of Aurora understands how and when to do maintenance. Rt. 59 is an extremely dangerous place to be in the evening when the trains arrive. Motorists have been making up their own rules of the road for years out there and it is lucky no one has been killed. Drivers routinely drive the wrong way down one way lanes, blow stop signs, turn single lanes into double lanes, make double right hand turns, drive way too fast, and a host of other serious violations. I have been parking in this lot since the first day it opened. In all of these years I have never, ever seen a Naperville police patrol car in the lot. Commuters know there are never ever any police present even though their is a police sub-station at the entrance so they drive any darn way they please.

May be we should talk about all of the design deficiencies that exist at Rt 59 and some of the other lots. Maybe we should talk about all of the wasted space that could be changed to make room for many. more vehicles? Maybe we could talk about why the city hasn't leased the lot adjacent to the day care center at the SE corner of North Aurora and Fairway and made these spaces available for commuters? Or even buy the lot since they can use eminent domain?

Yes the smart machines are regularly broken. Yes, the smart machines regularly malfunction. Does that really surprise anyone? For year after year after year the City of Naperville has delivered absolute bottom of the barrel quality on absolutely everything and anything related to commuter parking lots. The city council does not want to think about commuter parking, the city council does not want to discuss commuter parking, the city council does not want to spend any money on commuter parking, the city council does not want to provide any more than the absolute bare bones level of maintenance and services related to commuter parking.

City staff is totally useless when it comes to commuter parking. Part of the staff want to sell off parking lots near the downtown train station to developers... wait and watch and see if they try to pull off another TIF district with this plan. Not only will we loose the parking we will loose the tax revenue from all the new construction. The other part of city staff can't recommend anything for a solution other than to use bikes or take public transportation, yet despite decades of thinking about the problem they still can't come up with a public transportation system that works.

Hey, here is a clue and it works really, really well in a lot of other cities. Convert a portion of both the downtown and Rt 59 parking into car pool lots. Require all vehicles using these lots to have at least 2, possibly 3 occupants. Then provide a listing service on the city website where riders from each community around town can find people to ride with who live real close to them. They can share the cost of the permit, the number of available spaces will increase, we will have fewer cars on the road, and it will decrease permit wait times. This will also give people the option of asking for a single permit or a car pool permit. With a little planning and flexibility the number of single permits could actually decrease as the demand for car pool permits increase and since they provide for the greater good they should be given priority.

But all of this is meaningless and pointless until the city council finally wakes up and recognizes there are many serious problems related to the current parking situation at commuter lots and is committed to doing something about it.

I agree that the current fee collection equipment is unreliable and the police unresponsive, and that the system should be changed. I also agree that those receipts are meaningless, and an electronic system has little value if it doesn't record sufficient information to permit the resolution of payment disputes.

I have a parking permit, but wouldn't if daily payment wasn't so difficult and unreliable - just imagine waiting in that line and trying to handle money or a payment card when the temp is near zero.

The city should either revert to the old cash drop boxes or meters or purchase a truly "smart" system. Chicago uses a seemingly workable parking meter system, which even accepts cell phone payments (which in our case could be made from the train - no waiting!) There are also transponder systems, key fob systems, and others much more useful that these awkward and unreliable machines.

I would also suggest free (or at least covered) motorcycle and scooter parking, to encourage the use of these efficient vehicles, and better accomodations for bicycles, like Chicago has at Millennium Park.

It would also be nice if the Pace buses weren't so expensive or their routes different for each run. I can't understand the bus maps at all, with their overlapping dotted lines. At least we finally have comfortable, climate-controlled, quiet buses. No more squeezing into a dirty, sweltering school bus driven by a missonary who won't shut up.

Don't get too excited about any parking decks at the downtown station. Some developer wants to buy the old public works garage and put condos there. Oh, and our Metra lot? same developer wants to put a 10 story theater/condo tower there. Right there where our parking lot is. Additional parking? yeah, some extra spaces we get to share with all the condos and theater. What a joke. Nobody cares about the commuters enough to provide parking. Naperville has to spend the bucks on decks for outsiders to keep all the restaurants going Downtown. That we'll pay for.

Thanks for the info, Paul. Didn't know there was a time limit on the decks as I have always used the street parking.

In reply to:

Ken on June 17, 2008 12:10 AM
"Why don't the people who can't get a spot at the metra lots park in the parking decks and walk the few blocks to the train station? They can save money and get some exercise."

Because there is an enforced time limit for deck parking, just as for street parking, except that the penalty for abusing the parking deck potentially includes booting and/or towing. Not a good option.

Napergatian made some very good points and he made some other great points on another thread....maybe it was the gasoline thread. Whoever missed that one should catch up on those thread readings, too!

On the other thread, Napergatian mentioned all the benefits city officials and staff receive but he did forget free parking that was mentioned by ANONYMOUS above.

I mean they give themselves high salaries, young retirement ages of only 51, huge pensions based strictly on the last year of salary, full health benefits, full life insurance, cell phone allowance, internet home allowance and many more benefits mentioned by Napergatian on the other thread. All at TAXPAYER EXPENSE! Anyone still wondering why Naperville increased our taxes 20% plus this year while almost all other Illinios towns and villages were 5% and below.

And they have the audacity to double our parking fees at the train station while they receive free parking in downtown which is literally at a premium. Obviously, it is since they are building 3 new parking decks at a cost of 50 million at TAXPAYER EXPENSE. Why not at downtown landord expense since they failed to build their own parking? Who waived their parking requirements when they were building all these huge structures such as the Promenade Castle?

I feel the frustration building in this town...almost boiling over! We are just missing a leader. I hope the Napergate Man comes back and leads us again as he has proven to be a great leader and obviously is very experienced due to his past activities and prior involvement in town politics!

The existing location of the public works department (5th Avenue & Loomis) might be an excellent location for this parking deck. It's right next to the tracks. I wonder how many cars would fit in a 3-5 story parking garage? Anyone know?

FYI to Anon that got clipped off: Per councilman Fiesler, daily and monthly parking fees pay for improvements at the train stations (which would include any new parking structures). There is no general tax revenue that covers these expenses (this is a double-edged sword, the City could giveth and taketh away). So if you park at the train as well as pay taxes in Naperville, you are paying for the place you park as well as the train station and its improvements AND you are paying a share of the parking for the restaurants/stores in downtown Naperville -- whether you use the downtown parking or not!

By Anonymous on June 16, 2008 10:41 PM
This is a community disgrace. This is a city council who is totally OUT OF TOUCH with the residents and taxpayers who elected them.

The next city council election promises to be a blood bath. Expect to see a whole new bunch of city council members who know and understand what the priorities are in this city.

____________________________________________________________________

Anonymous,

I agree with you and really all your posts. You seem like you would make a good councilman or councilwoman since you never identified your gender. If you are thinking in that direction, you should use your full name here to get a head start.

I do expect the next city council election to be a blood bath as you stated. I also don't expect the Napergate Man to sleep through it. I think he is only about 50 so I don't believe he is retired. When the situation gets really bad, he seems to want to get involved.

It seems like the situation has gotten REALLY BAD in this town. I suspect he will be endorsing and promoting in full page Napergate ads just like the past. I hope you run for City Council and that he endorses you.

You seem to have a great head on your shoulders! And I do hope the Naperville Sun does some investigative reporting until the Napergate Man returns. The city council has literally forgotten why they were elected. They simply take orders from City Staff instead of giving orders! I guess we have to hang in there and wait a few more months till the next election! It will be a BLOOD BATH!

Diane G,

I also agree with Napergatian 100%. Makes no sense to rehash what he said. I could not have said it better!

Let us build one garage downtown, one garage at the Rt. 59 train station, and one garage at the uptown train station. Yes, we would be building 3 parking decks but in the right places instead of in the wrong places.

Let us stop subsidizing these downtown landlords who appear part of the establishment that is in power and controls this town. Let them build parking under their buildings as in most downtowns before they build. We do need a few Napergatians on the city council to shift the power away from those who are in cohoots with each other!

If Councilman Krause and Councilwoman Senger had any Napergate blood in them they apparently have lost it. They have joined the pack. They must have decided if you can't beat them join them. Kudos to the lone wolf CM Furstenau who can not be bought!

It appears the tech difficulties clipped off part of my post at 11:00PM yesterday. Here is the rest of what was clipped:

Just so the public is fully aware about how SMART these cards really are, these cards CAN NOT:
1. be cancelled if you loose them... yep whoever finds a card is free to use them until all the money is gone. Hell, the city can't even track who was using your stolen card or when it was used. Hell, the city will even let the thief come in to city hall and get a cash refund.
2. tell when or even if the card was used on a given day. So if you use the card and accidentally punch in the wrong space number you can not, even in good faith, attempt to show that you tried to do the right thing. Even keeping your receipt every day DOES NOT matter. If you make even a minor mistake you will get a ticket and you will get ZERO sympathy from city hall.

Now considering that commuter parking at the train station parking lots is now around $120 per quarter and considering that Naperville residents pay taxes that provide the commuter parking lots and the downtown parking lots. And considering that downtown parking lots are a lot more desirable and valuable I think it is high time we ended free parking at the city hall parking lot. Why should Naperville taxpayers foot the bill for a bunch of arrogant city workers who refuse to ever give us the benefit of the doubt? Why should Naperville taxpayers foot the bill for a bunch of city workers who all got together and determined how much more resident commuters should have to pay to park in our commuter lots? I demand that a comparative market analysis be performed on the value of the parking in the downtown city hall parking lot and the value of parking at every single other city building throughout the city. Whatever it is determined to be worth... $120... $150... $200... whatever the monthly fair market value ... if city hall employees want to drive to work and park in a parking spot Naperville taxpayers provide... well they can also pay for that privilege or else they can find some other place to park and walk or ride a bus.

FAIR IS FAIR! How about it Naperville City Council? It is time to end ALL the free parking being provided to city employees. Hey and no "pay raises" to make up for the additional out-of-pocket cost.

Why not build a 10+ story parking deck at the 5th avenue train station? Would alleviate the wait for commuters, and provide the downtown area with much needed parking for the weekends. Heck they could even provide a shuttle bus that goes back and forth to the riverwalk.

Could be done at the 59 train station as well without obstructing anyone's view.

I guess my comment from yesterday got lost in this page's technical difficulties. Short story: I agree wholeheartedly with "A Napergatian" (is it possible I'm a Napergatian too? but I'm not really sure what a Napergatian is). And I also agree with Anon on 6/16 at 10:41 p.m. The City Council needs to step up and address concerns of its residents.

WE NEED MORE PARKING AT THE TRAIN STATIONS.

More than 13 years of lack of foresight is what caused the big increase in monthly parking this year -- admitted to me by one councilman. I hope this councilman now knows what needs to be done and does something about it. I'll also be voting for new council persons next election -- ones that will fight for residents -- not just business owners.

I’m amused to see an article in the Sun about a broken parking space machine, as if that were some sort of novelty, rather than an every day event. There are four machines at the 5th Ave. station, one smart card only, and three that take both cash and cards. Maybe about half of the time, all four machines are fully functional. I can remember plenty of pre-smart card days when only one machine worked and it took only coins. I don’t know why having the single smart card only machine break down is now viewed as a news-worthy event, but I suppose I shouldn’t complain if some notice if finally being taken of the grossly inadequate accommodations given Naperville’s daily train commuters.

Even when all machines are functioning, there is always a wait in line. When it’s a one or two machine day, your choice is between being late for work or getting a ticket. No, calling that number will not keep the green envelope off your windshield, and no one in the city will be interested in your explanation as a substitute for your $15 check.

Prior to moving to Naperville, the train station I used had a pre-technology drop box system for paying for daily parking. While a hedgerow of drop boxes might not be 21st century, and may even be considered an eyesore, one advantage of the drop box system of payment is that they never malfunction, never refuse your money, and never grow lines. They don’t give receipts, but I don’t see the value in receipts that are never honored to void a ticket anyway.

Why don't the people who can't get a spot at the metra lots park in the parking decks and walk the few blocks to the train station? They can save money and get some exercise.

Just the name of these machines is an oxymoron.... SMART MACHINES! These are the DUMBEST possible machines the city could have possibly installed. The only thing dumber than these machines are the members of the city staff who personally recommended our tax dollars should be spent purchasing such a pile of junk.

These machines have been plagued with problems for years. There is nothing new about these problems. I've been using the Rt. 59 station since the first day it was opened so over the years, so trust me when I say I've seen it all. And I have received my own fair share of tickets because of problems with these machines. Go ahead and try to contest anything. Total waste of time. Your city assumes you are a liar and a cheat. There precious little revenue machine could not possibly make a mistake. I guarantee you will all receive the same form letter I received from the police department if you even try to contest a problem. So you have to make a choice do you pay the $15 you know in your heart-of-hearts you didn't deserve and shouldn't have to pay on principle alone or take a day off of work to contest it in court.

FACE IT, THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BASED UPON THE FACT THAT THE CITY OF NAPERVILLE IS BETTING THAT YOU WILL NOT BE WILLING TO TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORK AND WILL GLADLY PAY THEM THE $15 FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THEIR "SMART CARD".

So much for fairness, integrity, and due process. The whole "so called" appeal process is corrupt and
is based more upon coercion and duress than anything else. One jerk of a flat foot holds power to administratively decide yea or nay before we all head off to court. How about a little investigative reporting from the Naperville Sun on what percent of tickets have ever been actually administratively cleared?

Just so the public is fully aware about how SMART these cards really are, these cards CAN NOT:
1. be cancelled if you loose them... yep whoever finds them are free to use them until all the money is gone. 2. tell when or even if the card was used.

Don't you just love it. Come to Naperville to wander around downtown and visit the Riverwalk and we provide free parking.

Live in Naperville, pay property taxes and sales taxes at all of the local merchants... do I dare mention sales tax for our new cars at Naperville dealerships? Yet, not only doesn't the city care enough about it's own residents to provide enough parking for commuters... just look at what it is now charging us to park in lots we already paid for with our tax dollars.

NINE years on a waiting list to get a parking spot down town. DEAR LORD your kid could go all the way through elementary school while you wait for a downtown parking spot. This is a community disgrace. This is a city council who is totally OUT OF TOUCH with the residents and taxpayers who elected them.

The next city council election promises to be a blood bath. Expect to see a whole new bunch of city council members who know and understand what the priorities are in this city.

Just moved to Naperville last month. You mean to tell me those decks downtown are free?? Thats absurd given the commuter parking overcrowding

Since one of the main draws to this town is good mass transit options to the city, where would the good elected officials of Naperville suggest residents park when they go to their jobs down the train line. Why not eminent domain one of those dumpy blocks by the downtown train station for a higher and better use??

Too new to town to have figured this out yet, but a guess could be in order... The Downtown business owners, the development authority and/or elected officials (non commuters or "townies" in some parts) are sponsoring the free parking projects for their own gain, note the cute noveau buzzword; public private partnership (code for hold onto your wallet). They're either the builder/attorney/consultant/restaurant owner...uncle of....father in law to be....just follow the money....and doing this using tax revenue generated in large part by people who would much prefer to see 59th street parking expanded...

Is there a north naperville-south naperville thing we missed before we bought here???

To: A Napergatian- - Amen, Amen, AMEN!

This is why I have a severe problem with the city, specically the community relations department. I can't tell you how many messages I left on their phones and I have had no one respond. The manager, Naja, did not return a single phone call.

I've got problems with how the city responds to residents. This story just proves my point.

Parking at the downtown station has been an issue for nearly 30 years (as far as I can remember). The wait for a parking space has been many years for nearly all those 30 years. That's why no one will give up their parking space. Because where are you supposed to park when you get to the train station if you don't have a monthly spot? Daily parking is filled at the downtown station VERY early in the AM. Don't think you're going to be able to drop off your kid at 7:00 a.m. when day care opens and then drive to the train and get a spot. At 59 there is a little bit more "wiggle" room, but not much.

It was explained to me by a City councilman recently that monies collected from daily/monthly parking at the train stations is used exclusively for improvements at the train stations. That's why the City conducted a parking study and then decided to raise parking fees for monthly parkers: to pay for the study and improvements at the stations. I personally ride my bike, walk, take the Pace bus or get dropped off at the train -- I'm waiting to be charged to park my bike or use the sidewalk. Also, one councilman acknowledged that the fees for monthly parkers should have been increased gradually over the past 13 years -- which shows lack of foresight by our City Council.

Like the above Napergatian, I also agree that too much in "improvements" is being planned for parking for people who patronize the restaurants downtown Naperville. The restaurant owners are really the ones who benefit the most here. Yes, the City gets more tax revenue from increased sales, but let's face it, the people who live in this town should have a priority. After all, we pay property taxes, taxes on our electric usage, telephone, cable, ad infinitum.

Let's get it together for the people that live in this community, my dear City Council members. Additional parking at the train stations is long overdue. I've got an even better idea. How about building 3 parking decks for the train station parkers? Then on weekends and evenings, offer a free shuttle to downtown restaurant patrons?

I have had problems with the parking machines at the 5th Avenue station in Naperville, also. On at least two occasions the machine would not accept the parking spot number. After many attempts, I somehow paid for a parking spot that didn't exist. I called the police station as soon as I got to work to tell them (which was before they started issuing tickets) - I told them where I was parked and what spot I paid for. It didn't matter. They gave me a ticket. I appealed, but they wouldn't accept the explanation and the receipt for the paid parking.

We have money to build 5 FREE parking decks downtown that are used by many out of towners at mostly residential taxpayer expense.

But we have no money to build parking decks at these train stations where residents are willing to pay up the wazoo for permit rights to a parking spot. Where they are needed? Where 3700 residents are waiting in line for up to 6 years to get a parking spot? Where the gasoline crises can be helped if residents are encouraged to take mass transit?

There is no proven need for 3 more parking decks downtown. Possibly for one, but not for 3...that is for sure. Downtown restaurant business especially at the pricey ones has slowed down substantially due to the ever escalating cost of gasoline.

There is a proven need for parking decks at the train stations. And yet our city officials could care less. They would even generate revenue for the city as people are willing to pay a decent amount for them.

The fact only 9 individuals gave their permits back indicates people are even willing to pay more for them than is being charged. Thus the cost of the parking garages will be paid by the riders over time.

No one wants a library deck! We don't need a library deck! It even destroys the beautiful scenary in that area of our town!

Let us cancel plans to build the library parking deck and build those 3700 cummuters a large parking deck that will take care of their desperate needs! That seems the practical thing to do!