Are you sick of overpaying for parking lots close to your home? Have you chosen the “cost efficient” parking option of off street parking only to have it build up over time? Are you tired of having trouble finding parking on Friday and Saturday nights because all the bars and businesses we love are thriving and it’s all been taken? You are not alone. We want our own parking spaces, we live here!

Did you know we are living in what’s known as “the box”? The box is described as the most ticketed area in the greater New Haven area. “The Box” is the area between Elm St., State St. Chapel St. and Church St.—that being said, we live in the direct center! Not to mention the ticketing office is actually located on 200 Orange St., we live next door to the meter maids! They will ticket you promptly if it’s between 8am and 9pm. Even if you did pay for parking, there is a time limit. It’s hassle to keep up with moving your car or feeding the meter just to keep from getting a ticket. There is no worse feeling than coming out to a ticket on your windshield and you now have to pay an extra $25 for parking.

I have been struggling myself with the parking situation ever since I’ve moved here. I’ve racked up quite a sizable amount of fines just from ticketing. Recently I’ve been home sick with COVID-19 and haven’t been able to move my car or make it to the meter before the maids come. I have overslept twice and been ticketed. Day after day. They did it one day at 8:45am and another at 8:29am. Of course these tickets are in dispute but it’s still an awful feeling. I’ve even tried a parking lot but have you researched the prices of these lots? The parking lot located at 115 Court St. charges $190 for monthly parking, and that’s the closest one to our homes. Some of you may suggest to simply not owning a car if you’re going to live in this area. We love living downtown by all the restaurants and bars and the liveliness of the city, but some of us may not work down here. Public transportation can start to add up too, Ubers and buses in this cold weather. COVID is on the rise—you may need to get to doctor or get some supplies promptly. Some of us have children. Cars are pretty much a necessity. Even if you don’t own a car, do you really want your friends and family to have to pay to come see you? Residential parking would also mean visitor passes as well for those who frequently come to see you, yes they are free! Residential parking is starting sound pretty rewarding!

If we get enough signatures from the residents of the blocks surrounding the corner of Orange St. and Court St., I will present this petition to our Alderman. Our Alderman will notice just how impacted we are by this problem and will bring this issue to be voted on by the Board of Alders. If the majority feels that this issue needs to be resolved, then we will get our residential parking: complete with signs, and we will have our own zone and most importantly not have to ever worry about feeding a meter again! However—the first steps begin with us residents of Ward 7. Sign the petition. Let’s make it known that this is not only a problem, but a huge problem!