Getty parking changes prompt online petition from academics

New parking fees at the Getty Research Institute in Brentwood have prompted an online petition to protest the change. The petition claims that the new fees are a financial burden to academic researchers, many of whom rely on the GRI for their work.

Starting July 30, the GRI will start charging library readers for parking. The cost will be $15 per visit. The Getty is also selling parking passes, ranging from $50 to $275, that allow for various levels of unlimited parking.

Ron Hartwig, the Getty’s chief spokesman, said in an interview that the decision was “difficult to reach.” He said the Getty relies on its endowment for income and that in light of the weak economy, the new parking fees are necessary to raise additional revenue.

The online petition states that “for students and researchers already living on very limited funds — many at only a couple thousand dollars above poverty level — these fees constitute a substantial expense.”

The petition is asking Getty President James Cuno to call off the new parking policy.

Separately, the Getty said it will introduce an automated parking payment system at the Getty Center in Brentwood starting July 31. Under the new system, visitors will obtain a ticket upon entry to the Getty garage and will need to pay the parking fee at automated pay stations before leaving.

Hartwig said the introduction of the automated parking payment is intended to speed the process of entry to the Getty garage. He said there are no layoffs associated with the switch-over to the new system.

The automated system applies to the Getty Center, not the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades.

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