New Paid Parking Downtown Draws Criticism from Local High School Employees

On May 15, downtown Saint Joseph implemented a paid parking system which has sparked frustration among downtown employees—including high schoolers who work part-time at local businesses.

“I think it’s kind of stupid,” MaKenna Meyer, 11, who works at the Chocolate Café, said. 

Another junior, Beth Kobielski, who works at FuzzyButz, shared similar frustrations. “I hate it,” she said.

Paid parking is in effect west of Main Street from May 15 to September 15, daily between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. On-street parking costs $2/hour (max $6), and lot parking is $1/hour (max $12); all parking east of Main Street is free year-round.

Just one of many new parking meters in downtown St. Joe—this one by the Bandshell.

Photo by Gloria Harbin

To avoid fees, many workers are opting to park farther away (on the east side of Main Street) by the bank on Broad Street where it’s still free, but a longer walk to their job. 

“I used to park behind FuzzyButz, but now I have to park all the way by the bank and cross Main Street,” Beth said. “I wish you could register your license plate so they wouldn’t charge you for parking when you literally work there.”

As of now, the city has not addressed concerns raised by workers. Leaving employees—especially student workers—the challenges of paid parking: sometimes at the cost of time, convenience, and part of their paycheck.