City Council Approves Discounted Parking Ramp Vouchers to Grand Banquet Hall

The Stillwater City Council this week unanimously approved Dick Anderson’s request for discounted parking ramp vouchers.

When the Grand Banquet Hall plays host to large weddings receptions and other events the parking lots in the area are often full, Community Development Director Bill Turnblad told the council. So Anderson approached the city requesting the ability to validate parking vouchers for use during the Grand’s events.

“He is looking at a couple of different options such as looking at shuttling his customers back and forth … or valet if the party is smaller,” Turnblad said. “Anderson has a whole bunch of ways to get people back and forth, he’s simply asking for discounted coupons.”

The city allows any interested downtown business a validated voucher at cost, Turnblad said; however, the business would normally be charged full rate.

The council approved Anderson’s request for discounted vouchers, meaning the Grand will be billed $2 for off-season parking (normally $3) and $3 for peak-season parking ($5).

“How did we come to the price?” Kozlowski asked. “It seems pretty cheap to me.”

The decision was made at a time where the city would cover costs and that’s it, Turnblad said. The idea was to provide a service, but not profit from it—and the costs were based on projected usage and maintenance.

The only time the parking lot is full is the Fourth of July and when Lumberjack Days was being held downtown, Turnblad said. The ramp can always accommodate more vehicles, so this arrangement could be beneficial to both the city and the Grand.

“I think the whole thing is just great,” Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki said. “It’s driving people to that asset, and getting them used to it. He’s also doing it with an eye on the fact that the river parking is going to be ripped up potentially this summer. I think it’s a no-brainer.”

The parking voucher discount is good for one year, and after that, is subject to negotiation, Turnblad said. The Parking Commission recommended the council approve the requested voucher discounts.