My Biz: Parking is Ender’s game

Bill Ender tells people that he parks cars for a living.

It's a true statement, although it doesn't actually involve Ender getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Ender is maintenance manager for Park Cedar Rapids, and helps oversee six parking structures, all the city-owned parking lots and all the curbside parking in downtown Cedar Rapids.

'Everyone downtown is neighbors with us,” Ender said. 'I look at our parking system as real estate and we want it to be clean and efficient enough that we are an easy compliment to a business operating downtown.”

Ender said people don't often realize how many thousands of people are parking in the downtown area each day and how many tens of thousands of square feet his team is managing.

'It's always a game of numbers because it's important that we are utilizing what we have the best that we can,” he said.

While Ender oversees the maintenance staff, he also plays a role in keeping communication going between the Park Cedar Rapids office and downtown constituents.

'When there is construction I am working with those folks to make sure our monthly and transient parkers have access to the parking they need downtown,” he said. 'And if you have a business downtown, you have contact with us. We want to make sure you have that great curb appeal.”

Ender has worked for Park Cedar Rapids for three years. He said one of the first priorities he had coming into the job was taking care of the skywalk system.

'We are trying to bring some consistency to them,” he said. 'So one of the first things I did in this role was have all the skywalks cleaned and painted.”

Ender noted that he's had carpet laid in all the existing skywalks since coming on board with Park Cedar Rapids as well.

'They are not a revenue generator for us, but they are a liability,” he said.

Making structural and cosmetic improvements, Ender said, is part of presenting a safe and efficient parking system for the public.

He also is proud of the amenities that Park Cedar Rapids offers to downtown parkers, including jumpstarts, flat tire repair and escorts to or from a vehicle.

'We feel that these are really positive things we are doing downtown,” he said.

No two days are the same for Ender in the office, but he said that working with his wonderful team makes each day an enjoyable experience.

'It is a great staff that I work with,” he said. 'They all greet people who are parking with us each day and they own their jobs. Hopefully they enjoy coming to work every day, too.”

' Know a company in business for more than a year that would make an ideal My Biz? Contact Francie Williamson at francie.williamson@thegazette.com

At a glance

' Name: Bill Ender

' Title: Maintenance manager

' Company: Park Cedar Rapids

' Address: 349 Fourth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids

' Phone: (319) 365-7275

' Website: www.parkcedarrapids.com