Tag Archives: parking

Winter parking rules in Wyoming start this week

By Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor


The City of Wyoming does blow its sidewalks after two or more inches of snow. (WKTV/Maggie Carey)

It’s that time of year again, the winter weather is back! With that, the City of Wyoming would like to remind residents of street parking rules and snowplowing guidelines to help keep the roads clear of snow in the winter time.

It is important to note that according to the city’s website, Wyoming has approximately 250 miles (or 600 lane-miles) of streets. 44th and 28th streets are the major streets with the most traffic, meaning they are prioritized and plowed first, then collector streets, and finally, residential streets and cul-de-sacs.

City of Wyoming Winter Parking

The odd-even ordinance is in effect from Dec. 1 (Thursday) to March 31. Ensuring cars are on the correct side of the street means quicker plow times and safer commutes for residents. If the ordinance is not followed, first time offenders can be warned or even given a ticket.

So, how does the ordinance work? Match the day with the street address. On odd days, park on the side of the street that contains odd addresses (those ending in 1,3,5,7,9). On even days, park on the side of the street that contains even addresses (those ending in 0,2,4,6,8). For those who live in cul-de-sacs, you may park on the street on even days.

 

Cars must be on the correct side of the street from midnight to 7 p.m. and residents are encouraged to move their cars to the correct side of the street between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Sidewalks and fire hydrants

Residents are asked to help keep fire hydrants clear of snow by their homes/businesses. Local fire department officials say that having hydrants clear of snow and ice saves firefighters time when dealing with a fire. It is recommended to keep three feet of area on all sides of the fire hydrant clear of snow and ice.

The city plows sidewalks at night after there has been two or more inches of snow. Residents are asked to keep the sidewalks clear of obstructions and items (trash cans, cars, signs, etc.) to help the City of Wyoming when plowing the sidewalks.  

Traffic Tuesday Answer: Parking in the Handicap Spot

By Officer Jenni Eby
Wyoming Department of Public Safety

This week’s Traffic Tuesday was about parking in the handicap spot.

You’re running into a store for a quick second to drop something off or pick something up. The closest open spot is a marked handicapper, van accessible parking spot. What’s the maximum amount of time that you can park in marked spot designated for people with disabilities, without a visible plate, placard, or sticker?

  1. 0 minutes; you must have a visible plate, placard, or sticker
  2. 10 minutes
  3. 15 minutes
  4. 30 minutes
  5. I’m not sure, I’ll check back on Thursday

The answer is 1) 0 minutes; you must have a visible plate, placard, or sticker

Traffic Tuesday: Parking in Handicap spot

By Officer Jenni Eby
Wyoming Department of Public Safety


You’re running into a store for a quick second to drop something off or pick something up. The closest open spot is a marked handicapper, van accessible parking spot. What’s the maximum amount of time that you can park in marked spot designated for people with disabilities, without a visible plate, placard, or sticker?

  1. 0 minutes; you must have a visible plate, placard, or sticker
  2. 10 minutes
  3. 15 minutes
  4. 30 minutes
  5. I’m not sure, I’ll check back on Thursday

For the answer, make sure to check back on Thursday.

Traffic Tuesday Question: Odd/Even Parking

By Office Jenni Eby
Wyoming Department of Public Safety


Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the question will be posted on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday.

An officer is called to an odd/even parking violation in the middle of January. When the officer arrives, there are two vehicles parked in violation of the odd/even ordinance. What enforcement action can occur, according to the ordinance?

  1. The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning
  2. The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning, and towed to the correct side of the roadway to make room for the plows
  3. The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning, immediately towed, and impounded at the owners expense
  4. I’m not sure, I’ll check back Thursday!



The City of Wyoming’s odd/even parking takes affect Dec. 1. It is enforceable from midnight to 7 p.m. Cars are to be parked on the even numbered addresses on even numbered calendar days. On odd number days, residents may park in front of the odd number addresses. Those in cul-de-sacs may only park on the street on even numbered calendar days. Streets with “No Parking,” signs will continue to have no parking restrictions.

The odd/even parking is designed to allow the city’s snow plow trucks to be able to clear the streets after a snowfall.

Wyoming’s odd/even parking runs through March 31

By the City of Wyoming

The City of Wyoming’s odd/even parking ordinance is in effect through March 31. The ordinance helps facilitate the City’s snow plowing operations.

Under the ordinance, residents must park on the side of the street that corresponds with that day’s date. For example, on Feb. 5 cars should be parked on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses. On Feb. 6 cars should be parked on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses. On a cul-de-sac, parking may occur on even-numbered days.

Cars mus the parked on the correct side of the street from midnight to 7 p.m. From 7 p.m. to midnight, they may be parked on either side. Odd-even parking rules apply to all streets in Wyoming that are not already designated “no parking.”

For questions, please contact the City of Wyoming’s Department of Public Works at 616-530-7260.

Grand Valley State buys property, plans for engineering expansion and parking

By Mary Eilleen Lyon

Grand Valley State University

 

Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the Ferris Coffee and Nut facility in downtown Grand Rapids, with plans to expand its engineering programs. The trustees held a special board meeting on the university’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus earlier this month, and approved several real estate deals, including one to provide much-needed parking space for commuters.

 

The purchase of the Ferris facility, at 227 Winter Ave., for $6.5 million allows the university to begin planning what will be the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing’s Design and Innovation Center. It allows the university to avoid the delays and expense of constructing a new facility or taking a short-term approach by expanding existing facilities it will certainly outgrow.

 

“Enrollment growth in engineering has been explosive, more than doubling in the last 10 years,” Dean Paul Plotkowski said. “This facility is move-in ready and perfectly located near our downtown campus, on a bus line and near where our students live. We’re excited to plan and develop spaces where students from multiple disciplines will work together and develop projects for our industry partners. This is a game changer for us in terms of opening up potential to be innovative while providing an exceptional talent pipeline to employers.”

 

Ferris Coffee and Nut is remodeling another facility and will move its operations; Grand Valley is planning on moving into the 63,385-square-foot facility in summer 2018. The retail coffee shop that currently operates is expected to remain open to the public.

 

411 Standale Plaza Dr., N.W.

Trustees also approved acquiring 4.8 acres in the city of Walker for $1.6 million. The deal puts together three parcels at Lake Michigan Drive and Kinney Avenue. The university is purchasing two of the parcels — 411 Standale Plaza Dr., N.W. and 449 Kinney Ave., N.W. The owner of the 2.5 acre parcel at 475 Kinney Ave. is donating that portion to the university.

 

This deal will provide more than 400 parking spaces right along the current bus line and the proposed Laker Line (Bus Rapids Transit). The Laker Line will travel between Grand Valley’s Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses and through downtown to the university’s health campus. The 20,000 square feet of retail space will remain operational and part of the city of Walker’s developing business district.

 

The trustees also approved the sale of a condominium near the Allendale Campus that the university purchased in 1987. Over the years, it has been used to house visiting faculty and international visitors, and host meetings and small retreats. The university no longer needs the condominium because a hotel has been built in the area and the university’s Alumni House was built and includes overnight accommodations.

Most excellent kudos for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Gerald-R-Ford-International-Airport
Pretty darn snazzy, but not just a pretty face

By Victoria Mullen
victoria@wktv.org

 

You probably don’t give it a second thought—until you need it, that is. Nonetheless, it bustles about its business, transporting travelers to and from myriad destinations with first-class services and amenities. Over the years, it has been revamped, remodeled and reconstructed. Today, it bears absolutely no resemblance to its humble beginnings.

 

All these improvements have not gone unnoticed—or unrecognized—in an industry that’s fraught with cut-throat competition.

 

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) has achieved the first-place ranking in the “Best Airports by Size and Region-North America” (2-5 million passengers per year) category, and tied for second place ranking in the “Best Airport by Region – North America” (all airports over two million passengers per year) category as a part of ACI’s 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. These awards are granted by the Airports Council International (ACI) each year.

1963 GFIA
Kent County Airport (n/k/a Gerald R. Ford International Airport) circa 1963

 

Maybe you don’t think it’s any big deal, but it really is. The ACI ASQ program is unique as the airport industry’s only global bench-marking program measuring passenger satisfaction in real time while passengers are at the airport. Implemented at over 300 airports worldwide, the ASQ Program delivers an in-depth assessment of the quality of the customer service experience, covering 34 key service areas such as access, parking, check-in, security, airport facilities, food and beverage, and more.ervice areas such as access, parking, check-in, security, airport facilities, food and beverage, and more.

 

“Customer service is a top priority for our entire team at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and we are thrilled to be recognized as the top performer of our size in North America,” said GFIA Executive Director Brian Ryks. “We’re dedicated to ensuring continued progress in this area as we make significant investments in personnel, services, and facilities focused on providing a first-class experience from the vehicle curb to the aircraft gate. We are working to improve the passenger experience every day, and this award reflects that effort.”

 

“We see ever-greater competition among airports, and with it increasing pressure to optimize performance across the operation, especially when it comes to the passenger experience,” said ACI Director General, Angela Gittens. About GIF’s high marks, she said, “Your airport’s results in the 2015 ASQ Survey demonstrate your professionalism, commitment, and success in delivering that high level of customer service. Your airport is a credit to our industry and I thank you and your team for this splendid achievement.”

GFIA today
My, how things have changed

 

GFIA has continued to improve the customer experience from adding concession updates, complimentary, faster Wi-Fi, airport ambassadors, a therapy dog program, updated parking and valet services, new skycap services, and more. The airport has recently commenced its $45 million Gateway Transformation Project to consolidate security screening, update restrooms, new flooring, lighting, business centers, retail and food and beverage space.

 

“We are thankful for all of the tenants and stakeholders who are the front-line service providers behind this award,” said Ryks. “From the airlines to our parking services, law enforcement, and curb front security, to TSA and airport ambassadors – they do a tremendous job day-in and day-out to ensure the passengers have a quality experience at our airport. We are planning a celebration to thank and recognize these employees for their efforts.”

 

So, next time you visit GFIA, tip your hat–or mittens–to the men and women who strive to provide us with the best possible service.

 

For more information on ASQ, please go here. To view details of the 2015 ASQ results, please go here.
ACI-KPI-Report-banner-horizontal