Overview:
Parking is a significant issue throughout the 49th Ward and Rogers Park. With 36,000 people per square mile in a neighborhood that is slightly smaller than 2 square miles, ours is the most densely populated neighborhood in Chicago. There are a large number of multi-family condominium and town house units, only a fraction of which provide one parking space per unit. There are many multi-family rental units that offer little or no parking options for residents. There also is Loyola University, whose students put a significant strain on parking in the southern portion of the Ward.
While there are several privately owned parking lots that offer monthly parking for residents, there is only one multi-level public parking facility in the Ward, which is located at Rogers and Ashland. This facility was built to accommodate Howard Street shoppers and commuters who use public transportation.
The issues:
Rogers Park is a haven for illegal parking. Commercial truck owners take advantage of lax parking enforcement and take up spaces in the neighborhood north of Howard. These spots are also shared by commuters, who shun what they consider to be an inconveniently placed public parking facility and choose to park along Howard and intersecting streets. Commercial truck owners also use residential streets – illegally – for overnight and weekend parking.
Parking in the Loyola neighborhood has reached critical mass. Neighbors successfully worked with the university several years ago to designate parking zones and appropriate enforcement times. Yet, as the university’s population grows, so does the parking problem. Neighborhoods not covered by parking zones which allow them to restrict parking are in a constant battle with students for limited parking spaces.
The lack of parking in retail areas is bad for local business. Merchants along Sheridan and the retail corridors of Morse and Clark consistently complain that the lack of available public parking is an impediment to their current success and future growth. Parking spots along Clark have become sidewalk showrooms for traveling used car dealers who purchase automobiles at auction and drive to Rogers Park where they solicit potential customers during busy weekend shopping times.
Neighborhood concerns remain unaddressed. Local residents who are eager to see retail growth in neighborhoods that have been underserved for years have expressed doubts about the success of a proposed restaurant/concert venue on Morse because of the lack of parking. In fact, residents who otherwise favor an increase of shopping and restaurant options are fighting proposals of those venues in attempts to protect the current few parking options.
Chris Adams’ Plan:
We have said since the early days of this campaign that parking must be a prominent part of the equation involving any retail and commercial development in the 49th Ward. Neighborhoods that do not address parking needs risk negating any improvements in development they might otherwise gain, and the potential conflict among residents, business owners and visitors is an unnecessary consequence of the steps neighborhoods like ours must make in order to be viable.
That Rogers Park has rolled out the welcome mat for parking scofflaws is the unfortunate by-product of a Ward administration that simply does not care about the issue. The problem should be addressed through strict parking enforcement without seeking to add more parking zones to the Ward.
As Alderman, I will:
* Work directly with the District 24 Commander and the Chicago Police Department to get full-time parking enforcement to the 49th Ward
* We will not use beat officers to deal with parking enforcement
* We will make a strong case that parking issues are so pervasive in the Ward that 2 to 4 full-time parking enforcement officers will pay for themselves
* We will – through strict enforcement of existing ordinances – get illegally parked vehicles off the streets of Rogers Park
* Work directly with the mayor’s office, local residents and developers to designate two to three locations for multi-level public parking structures
* These structures should serve the Sheridan, Morse and Clark retail corridor
* Proximity of these structures to public transportation should also be a consideration
* One possibility is on West Lunt near the Metra station
* Make sure parking structures conform architecturally to their neighborhood
* Encourage creation of multi-use facilities that incorporate retail options on street level
* Work to identify potential surface parking lots that could accommodate overnight parking for commercial vehicles
* Work directly with Loyola University to make sure that growing student parking needs are a part of any development plans the university is considering
* Encourage parking structures for Loyola’s planned development on Devon Avenue (40th Ward)
* Encourage parking structures for Loyola’s planned development on Broadway Avenue (near Granville; 48th Ward)
8 comments:
Carol J. said....>"These ideas are very thoughtful."
They seem to be Carol, but, there was no - yes or no answer to the question....
... "Would a candidate allow a 300 seat theatre/100 restaurant project that needs parking to be built, allow to be built if it didn't have any parking?
"But it is really perplexing that the alderman claims one area needs parking, while in the same neighborhood, a parking requirement can be waived for a developer."
Greg Brewer
Pandering to the "needs" of those who feel the only way to get around the city is by auto is a neolithic proposition that will only perpetuate the ongoing "problem" of where to park.
Your never going to be able to provide parking for everyone so what you get is more people "thinking" they are going to be able to park in a lot. Problem becomes even larger for residents and customers alike when only a small number of customers actually do get to park.
The more parking we build the more people will drive very short distances to entertain themselves. This notion that we "need" parking for every venue is nonsense.
I think the city should encourage people to build less, not more parking. The more parking the smaller the ridership for the CTA. The fewer riders will ultimately make the CTA provide fewer services.............and wouldn't that be just GREAT?
Always taking the "short view"........ If the city really wants to be "green" it should lobby to give us the best public transportation in the world.
Not to sound holier than though about it but I have NEVER owned a car and grew up in Chicago. I've gotten by just fine. If you don't have a car, you can take jobs that fit geographically- one adjusts.
Current programs like I-GO make life even easier for the car-less.
I just came back from London where you can go virtually anywhere in the city or beyond using their state of the art tube, bus and rail system. That city's population is so great, they have no choice but to provide such a system. What we have seems like a cheap date compared to their system I have to say.
And we have the failing American auto industry lobbyists to blame for many of our woes in this regard. But of course, we allowed this to happen in our consumer-driven euphoria.
I love what Charlie said. I hate parking garages.
From Adams' Parking Plan:
"We will make a strong case that parking issues are so pervasive in the Ward that 2 to 4 full-time parking enforcement officers will pay for themselves"
Is this the closest you will get to an endorsement.
Day 9 still no endorsement from Craig.
1.) Seek public and private partnerships to build new parking facilities that serve the long-neglected needs of residents and business customers on Howard Street, Morse Avenue, and Clark Street near the Metra stop. This will stimulate local business and attract patrons from outside the neighborhood and city.
I agree with Paradise, RPNeighbor, Charlie, Margot, et al on the issue of cars and parking. Mr. Adams proposal is not terribly innovative.
I have to ask: what will Mr. Adams, or the other candidates, do when the axe falls and people from outside the neighborhood or city decide not to come to RP because they can't afford gas for discretionary driving and don't have good public transit as an option?
I think there should be a special tax if you own more than 1 car registered to the same address.
Money goes to mass transit.
I think there should be triple the property transfer fees on sales of parking spots. Hey there are spots selling for more than my parents paid for their home.
Money goes to mass transit.
A 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. permit parking zone around all mass transit stations. If you don't live here, you don't need to park here. $100 tickets.
Money goes to mass transit.
Double the cost of plates and tag renewals.
Money goest to mass transit.
What does it take for people to understand that it's not about parking. Cars and abundant parking just enable people not to shop nearby. Morse would be a great shopping street once again if so many people did not own cars.
See you tomorrow when I get back from IKEA.
(a)(a)
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