Workshops to Address Queens Neighborhood Parking
The NYC DOT is holding a series of workshops in a total of 7 neighborhoods to address the issue of congestion pricing and it’s potential impact on parking in these strategic neighborhoods. Strategic because they are areas that might have problems with drivers who “park and ride”, dropping their cars in on the way to wherever (work, most likely), so that they don’t have to pay any fees. This behavior is antithetical to congestion pricing, and just plain wrong (at least in my opinion). The DOT puts it in nicer terms:
The study areas, which display a range of parking-related conditions, were selected based on their representative characteristics and their ability to inform parking strategies that can be applied citywide.
In Queens, LIC and Forest Hills are the neighborhoods in question. Here are details of the meetings:
11/15
Long Island City, Queens
7:00-9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30)
The Learning Center
43-82 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
11/29
Forest Hills, Queens
7:00-9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30)
Forest Hills Jewish Center
106-06 Queens Boulevard
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Related:
DOT Press Release [DOT]
November 15th, 2007 at 9:06 am
The area of Manhattan above 86th Street will have exactly the same problem of people parking there to avoid paying a congestion pricing fee to drive below 86th. This is a reason to vehemently object to such a plan, and to address this neighborhood’s needs and concerns. They would face the same problem as those in Queens. Municipal parking garages are needed, with or without congestion pricing. Get the cars off the streets by giving them a place to park. Congestion would be a boon for the overpriced private garages that even now raise prices on holidays and parade days. They could simply double or triple their prices should congestion pricing be put into effect.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Rom, here’s the info for the workshop on the UES. I think regardless of one’s position on the issue of congestion pricing, attending these meetings is a good idea:
11/19
Upper East Side
6:30 - 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6)
Temple Israel
112 East 75th Street
New York, NY 10021