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Committee backs free ramp parking for Small Business Saturday, recommends council approval
Summary
The Municipal Services Committee voted 5-0 to recommend that City Council approve free parking in downtown parking ramps for Small Business Saturday 2025, with Appleton Downtown Inc. offering a $1,600 contribution for metered parking.
The Municipal Services Committee voted 5-0 on Oct. 6 to recommend City Council approve free parking in Appleton City parking ramps for Small Business Saturday 2025, a one-day program Appleton Downtown Inc. (ADI) said supports local retailers and hospitality businesses.
ADI Marketing Director Abby Novak told the committee the event is “a nationally recognized day of shopping that supports a wide range of small businesses,” and cited results from 2024: about 60 participating businesses and more than 800 completed event passports indicating visits to multiple downtown businesses.
Committee members and staff discussed logistics and a proposed compromise: allow free parking in ramps while keeping street metered spaces paid to preserve stall turnover. Director Youngworth said staff had reviewed operations and proposed encouraging visitors into ramps while retaining paid meters, and noted ADI’s offer to contribute $1,600 specifically toward metered parking.
Hillary Patterman, the city’s new parking utility manager, described operational steps to avoid the common problem of drivers being unable to exit ramps after gates close. Patterman said the parking division is testing a new system to be implemented in 2025 and noted existing options used on free Sundays and during Oktoberfest: guests pull or prepay a ticket on entry so gates open on exit, and an assistance phone line is available for staff to remotely open gates when appropriate.
Several alderpersons sought clearer operational details before final City Council approval. Alder Hartzmann said past events had produced logistical problems when parkers lacked tickets to exit; Alder Hartzell asked for a definitive plan in advance of council action. Alder Mouser and others praised the partnership with ADI and the proposed $1,600 contribution.
The committee’s vote to recommend approval was unanimous. The item will go to City Council next week with the committee’s recommendation to approve free ramp parking for the one-day Small Business Saturday event and the $1,600 ADI contribution noted in the staff packet.
Votes and next steps: The committee’s recommendation will be on the council agenda; City Council will make the final decision.
