Garden Road now is open for parking. However, there are concerns expressed by some aldermen over problems that might arise.

“Students need to understand that we worked very hard to get it passed,” said Dave Baker, 6th Ward Alderman, of parking being allowed on Garden Road.

Baker told the Northern Star he did not want to see students continuing to make U-turns, parking illegally or parking before 9 a.m.

“The parking on Garden Road is designed to be a convenience, not a long-term parking lot,” Baker said. “Our understanding was that all the NIU parking lots were filled by 10 a.m.”

First Ward Alderman Andy Small, expressed concerns over the illegal parking taking place on Garden Road.

“Students have to remember that the yellow parking around the entrance shouldn’t be parked in,” Small said.

Small said some students who parked on Garden Road during Tuesday’s snowfall received tickets because it is a snowplow route.

If the parking needs to be dealt with, it will be dealt with in a way nobody likes, Baker said.

“As an alternative, my proposal is to send a wake-up call to the students,” Baker said.

The wake-up call would come in the form of parking tags and numbered spaces, Baker said.

Baker said the parking problem stems from the Huskie Bus Line not being able to travel down Hillcrest Drive to reach the Garden Road area. He added that Hillcrest needs about $350,000 in repairs.

Students looking to park on Garden Road should avoid parking in residential areas, Baker said.

Baker was hopeful for the parking situation.

“I’d like to see the parking stay,” Baker said.