Commission refers downtown pick‑up/drop‑off study, approves alley loading change and removes a Maple Avenue no‑parking sign

The Green Bay Traffic/Parking Commission on March 17 referred a downtown pick‑up/drop‑off request to staff for study, voted to change an alley restriction from no stopping/standing to no parking on a trial basis, and approved removal of a no‑parking sign on South Maple Avenue.

Alderman Johnson introduced two requests: to remove a redundant no‑parking sign near 301–305 S. Maple Ave and to create a 15‑minute pick‑up/drop‑off (kudos) lane in the 100 block of Pine Street following recommendations in the 2023 Desmond Parking Study. The commission voted to remove the Maple Avenue sign and to refer the Pine Street pick‑up/drop‑off idea to staff for a location study.

Staff described downtown constraints: the 100 block of Pine Street was reconstructed with a 24‑foot clearway and textured pavement to prioritize pedestrians, so converting that block to a formal pick‑up/drop‑off lane would likely require reconstruction. Staff noted there are already three loading/pick‑up stalls in the immediate downtown area, including near the former Children’s Museum, City Deck Court and in front of Nicolay National Bank.

Commissioners and business representatives said delivery and catering activity—standard delivery trucks and passenger vehicles performing curbside unloading—drive demand for nearby loading zones. “We have 3 of them in downtown…within that 4 block area, there's 3 zones actually,” a staff member said.

The commission voted to change the alley west of Washington Street between Pine and Cherry from no stopping/standing to no parking, noting that no parking allows loading and unloading if drivers remain reasonably present; the commission set the change as a 90‑day trial. A staff member explained enforcement practice: safe, attended loading is allowable and citations are higher for no stopping/standing violations.

Separately, the parking division manager warned that federal grant cuts have reduced enforcement grant funding and that the division has exhausted reserves. “We take no levy assistance. And since 2020, we have been on life support. We have exhausted all of our reserves. We have none left,” the manager said, adding the division is holding operations at roughly $2.8 million a year after earlier funding at about $3.5 million.

After motions and voice votes, the commission approved the referrals and sign changes and instructed staff to include the 2021 downtown pick‑up/drop‑off recommendations and existing Safe Routes to School/bike‑ped plans as part of any new study. The commission also noted that converting pedestrian‑oriented streets to vehicle lanes can reduce pedestrian safety and that staff will consider revenue impacts from removing paid parking stalls before proposing permanent changes.