| Author |
Message |
    
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 254
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 6:27 pm: | 
|
Once again the Parking Authority is removing more 12-hour meters, this time from the lot at the rescue squad station. This follows the removal of the spots on SO ave. across from the reservoir restaurant. The paper on my car this afternoon said this is being done to create more spaces for SO resident parking.
So what about those of use who live in SO and are on the waiting list? Our options are shrinking every year. OK, we can go to the library spots, but clearly there will be even more competition for those now. As it is I have to get to the rescue squad station by 6:55 to get a spot. What time will I have to get to the library by??? Or we can pay $5 to park in the shop rite lot. But not even the parking authority can say how long that arrangement will last.
Why can't they just leave well enough alone? So a handful of people will come off the waiting list as a result. As someone who is on the list, that small gain in waiting list status is no consolation at all.
This is really frustrating. I wish there was something we could do. But as was the case with the last 12 hour meter removal, I'm certain we are powerless. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 750
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 8:32 pm: |
|
Very frustrating indeed. I have parked in that lot several times, and it's tough to get one of the dozen spaces. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 255
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 9:48 am: |
|
Monty -- I have gotten there at 6:55 on some days and still not gotten a spot. And if the lot is full at that point, by the time you get to another lot, you won't make the 7:05.
With those dozen or so spots now going away, imagine what it will be like trying to squeeze into the few remaining 12 hour meters in town. |
Jeff DuBowy
Citizen
Username: Jeffd
Post Number: 48
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 11:36 am: |
|
The 12hr meters are not being removed to accomodate people on the waiting list.
The next phase of major construction will be going on at the firehouse. They will be using numerous spaces in the lot adjacent to the firehouse for constuction vehicles, staging area, etc.
12 hr meter removal was done to accomodate permit holders who park in this area and will now have to be relocated.
The shoprite site and Comstock are available options.
Jeff DuBowy - Commissoner SOPA |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 323
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 10:30 pm: |
|
Walk. Get a ride. Ride a bike. Quit bitching. |
ROGER
Citizen
Username: Roger
Post Number: 11
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 1:41 pm: |
|
First they take away the lot next to the right of the Firehouse(currently populated by the modular "temporary" homes for the firemen evicted from the house). It was supposed to be temporary. Temporary since 4 years ago.
Now they are taking away the lot off Second Street. Note left in cars says until further notice.
Relax, we will all have our spots back no later than 2013 - coinciding with the grand opening of SOPAC and the gourmet market. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1799
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 2:00 pm: |
|
The lot next to the firehouse was originally intended for handicapped and those with short term problems who needed to park close to the station entrance(pregnancy, short-term medical issues, etc). Over the years it sort of became a nice lot for those who knew about it and were able to get one of the spaces. There were 12 spaces (five of which required a handicapped permit). The lot was never intended for commuters.
There have been parking spaces added over the years including those in the bank parking lot off of third street and the expansion of the Rescue squad parking lot (not to mention the NJ transit lot).
The firemen were hardly evicted. The firehouse needed renovations and this was the solution the fire chief felt was best (and there were other options discussed).
The spaces at the second street lot should be available again by the end of the year (although one source said as early as the end of the summer).
|
ROGER
Citizen
Username: Roger
Post Number: 12
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 2:24 pm: |
|
mros,
The spaces intended for handicap spots and for people with "short term" problems were clearly marked with signs. If all spaces were intended to be for handicap use, then the town failed miserably (great surprise) to label such.
The problem of the asbestos abatement (and others) at the firehouse clearly needed to be resolved and no question that the lot next to it was the best option. However, it is embarrassing that it has taken this long to fix on its entirety. Our bravest deserve better!
Oh and by the way - I am going on record here. I will give up my parking pass to the next person on the waiting list if construction is completed by the end of the summer! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1800
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 2:50 pm: |
|
The spaces did not have to be marked. It was controlled by the permit process. The problem arose when SOPA decided to issue the same permit for all lots (and I had no idea why they did that at that time).
As for being "embarrassing" I agree that it is but the blame is clearly with the firm that was hired to oversee the project. And before you claim we should have hired someone else, I will point out there is a bidding process and only a "qualified" bidder could be selected. It was not like the village had much of a choice. However, this firm was considered to be the "best" and had a good track record.
Clearly they did not understand the scope of work needed in this project nor did they seem to show any desire to get the work done in a timely manner.
The asbestos issue was resolved fairly quickly as was the first phase (mostly exterior) of the project. It has been the interior of the firehouse where the real delays have taken place.
Constuction is slated to be completed in the early winter. The parking spaces are supposed to be available again by the end of the summer ('05). |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 256
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:17 pm: |
|
Problem is, none of this addresses the shrinking number of 12-hour meters in town. For those of us on the waiting list who must drive ourselves to the station, there are simply not enough spots. We need a solution. |
woodstock
Supporter
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 931
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:27 pm: |
|
Park at Shoprite. Park in the Park (Mead). It's not ideal, but there simply isn't enough parking in general in town. There are very few publicly owned spaces that do not have commuter parking in them. (maybe at town hall ?)
Do you (not the personal you, but the collective YOU) have suggestions? |
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 960
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:35 pm: |
|
The parking situation was mentioned at this past BOT meeting. It's only going to get worse when construction starts at Shoprite and some spaces will be lost at NJ Transit when SOPAC construction gets into high gear. What was mentioned is allowing permit parking ala Maplewood on some of the surrounding streets. This would only be an interim measure until something permanent can be done. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1802
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:50 pm: |
|
The problem is not helped by NJ Transit's construction which is now running about one year behind schedule. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 257
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 4:57 pm: |
|
Woodstock -- The Shop Rite spots will only be available for a little while longer. Then everyone who parks there will need someplace to park as well. As for the park, it's a good idea, but you can't park on the street there before 7 am (at least that was the case the last time I checked). So if you are shooting for the 7:05, you'll never make it to the station in time. Perhaps a street parking rule is the answer, especially in the areas around the station. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 549
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 5:15 pm: |
|
(ahem) whatever happened to the jitney?
|
Jeff DuBowy
Citizen
Username: Jeffd
Post Number: 49
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 9:15 pm: |
|
There is currently one Jitney route in Montrose & Tuxedo Park.
SOPA will be adding additional routes.
A survey will be going out with the next issue of the "Gaslight" - this will help SOPA gauge demand in different areas. |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 324
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 10:20 pm: |
|
I repeat: walk, get a ride, ride a bike, quit bitching. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 10:25 pm: |
|
mwoodwalk, those are not all options for for everyone.
No need to be nasty. These are your neighbors. |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 339
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 2:17 pm: |
|
Rastro, that's true, there are not a lot of options. But that's been true for many years in SO, and many of the people complaining moved in and knew of the problems, or should have known of the problems, so they came into it with their eyes wide open. I'm sick of hearing about complaining on these boards about problems that were known and intractable and are virtually insoluble.
That said, I could have made my point more kindly, so your point is well taken.
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page