CANAL DISTRICT PARKING FOR RESIDENTS & WORKERS
CANAL DISTRICT PARKING FOR RESIDENTS & WORKERS
The Issue
AFFECTED AREAS:
WATER STREET, TEMPLE STREET, HARDING STREET & CANAL DISTRICT
March 27, 2022
RESIDENTIAL PARKING PETITION
Owing to large expenditures in a new ball park, the City of Worcester has gentrified the neighborhood over the last three years, and is pushing myself and numerous others to leave due to outrageous rent increases and a parking monopoly.
I've spoken with at least 70+ residents and workers in the area who are willing to sign this petition.
Worcester has phased out all free residential parking. They have favored commercial parking for non-residents, denying residents access to free parking and limiting their parking options, all of which incur additional parking costs. The city and private investors have monopolized parking at the expense of citizens, employees, and companies. There is sufficient commercial parking at Railers, Union Station, and municipal lots to accommodate persons visiting restaurants/businesses. This plainly demonstrates that City of Worcester is favoring non-residents in order to monetize parking as real estate and take it away from residents. Likewise, you may earn revenue by issuing residential parking permits.
The City Manager , City Councilor and other State representatives alike misled the residents about their commitment to avoiding gentrification in this neighborhood. Since the WooSox opened two years ago, prices have climbed by an average of 8-12 % each year due to imposed local taxes on landlords and companies, reassessment of property values all of which force residents to pay those tax hikes through rising rents. Residents are being priced out of the community and this is only the beginning. As new 30 story developments take place and new entertainment venues are created pricing will only continue to climb until this community is fully occupied by affluent individuals who do not match the demographics of those residents who live in this community now.
When the City Manager and City Council ran for office, they both pledged that any new developments will benefit the community and improve the general quality of life for its residents. You both voted to put residents money on parking meters, which penalize residents and workers.
There are extremely few parking spaces reserved for senior citizens. Many are forced to travel up to .04 miles to locate parking in dark, unsafe areas. This is a security risk for them. Additionally, there is a scarcity of handicapped parking and wheelchair access to handicapped parking spaces. This is really discriminatory.
During winter snow storms, parking spots are seldom plowed, posing a threat to pedestrians and drivers. Once again, the handicapped are denied parking, yet the parking administration continues to issue penalties despite the fact that they are not cleaning the roads that our tax money pay to maintain.
The parking administration has developed a rapport with select car owners and is now enforcing parking violations against them with bias and other local residents have experienced the same.
An ongoing and prominent issue is that municipal authorities continue to communicate poorly with residents, workers, and businesses about parking enforcement and future plans that would affect the community's standard of living. They seem proud to offer parking at $63 per month or just $2 per day, but that is only an introductory rate until the City Parking Officials have full compliance from the community, then prices will go to market rate at $190 per month such as Union Station which does not offer priority or secure parking either. This affects all residents and workers at restaurants, bars and local businesses. The City Parking Administration is forcing all residents and workers to get monthly parking passes or be fined.
I believe there are other ways to help raise awareness on the parking challenges this community is faced with. However, City official must work together with residents to come up with better solutions, rather than force residents into contracts they do not want to be a part of forcibly.
Suggestions that could help raise awareness is to create small advertising signs on the roads with a QR Code that has a link to the City with the latest updates on how the standards of living are being improved in our District. Also in order to help to increase Revenue from parking, improve the environment and everyones quality of life of CO2 Emissions. Consider the possibility of installing 50 Solar Powered Charging stations to encourage EV and Eco Friendly Vehicles and promote awareness for sustainable energy. Solar Car Ports are a great way to generate green energy for the City, protect vehicles from the heat, rain, snow and ice and having charging stations built into them will only help further support the future of Green Development Projects in the City of Worcester. This entire area lacks Charging Stations and Solar Energy at a time when affordable energy is needed most.
We, the undersigned, petition the council to look into the City of Worcester's parking problem and restore residential parking or make residential parking permits accessible. We respectfully request that you consider the circumstances of district residents and the whole City of Worcester, as well as our rights to inexpensive and dependable parking.
As a result, we recommend that you reinstate residential parking and prioritize residential parking over all others, especially during large gatherings and events. This will provide residents with more inexpensive parking alternatives and improved access to the City. Additionally, charged parking will generate revenue that may be invested on something that is more desperately needed in the community.
Respectfully Yours,
A Concerned Community of Citizens with Natural and Constitutional Rights.
Constitution of the United States
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth_amendment
178
The Issue
AFFECTED AREAS:
WATER STREET, TEMPLE STREET, HARDING STREET & CANAL DISTRICT
March 27, 2022
RESIDENTIAL PARKING PETITION
Owing to large expenditures in a new ball park, the City of Worcester has gentrified the neighborhood over the last three years, and is pushing myself and numerous others to leave due to outrageous rent increases and a parking monopoly.
I've spoken with at least 70+ residents and workers in the area who are willing to sign this petition.
Worcester has phased out all free residential parking. They have favored commercial parking for non-residents, denying residents access to free parking and limiting their parking options, all of which incur additional parking costs. The city and private investors have monopolized parking at the expense of citizens, employees, and companies. There is sufficient commercial parking at Railers, Union Station, and municipal lots to accommodate persons visiting restaurants/businesses. This plainly demonstrates that City of Worcester is favoring non-residents in order to monetize parking as real estate and take it away from residents. Likewise, you may earn revenue by issuing residential parking permits.
The City Manager , City Councilor and other State representatives alike misled the residents about their commitment to avoiding gentrification in this neighborhood. Since the WooSox opened two years ago, prices have climbed by an average of 8-12 % each year due to imposed local taxes on landlords and companies, reassessment of property values all of which force residents to pay those tax hikes through rising rents. Residents are being priced out of the community and this is only the beginning. As new 30 story developments take place and new entertainment venues are created pricing will only continue to climb until this community is fully occupied by affluent individuals who do not match the demographics of those residents who live in this community now.
When the City Manager and City Council ran for office, they both pledged that any new developments will benefit the community and improve the general quality of life for its residents. You both voted to put residents money on parking meters, which penalize residents and workers.
There are extremely few parking spaces reserved for senior citizens. Many are forced to travel up to .04 miles to locate parking in dark, unsafe areas. This is a security risk for them. Additionally, there is a scarcity of handicapped parking and wheelchair access to handicapped parking spaces. This is really discriminatory.
During winter snow storms, parking spots are seldom plowed, posing a threat to pedestrians and drivers. Once again, the handicapped are denied parking, yet the parking administration continues to issue penalties despite the fact that they are not cleaning the roads that our tax money pay to maintain.
The parking administration has developed a rapport with select car owners and is now enforcing parking violations against them with bias and other local residents have experienced the same.
An ongoing and prominent issue is that municipal authorities continue to communicate poorly with residents, workers, and businesses about parking enforcement and future plans that would affect the community's standard of living. They seem proud to offer parking at $63 per month or just $2 per day, but that is only an introductory rate until the City Parking Officials have full compliance from the community, then prices will go to market rate at $190 per month such as Union Station which does not offer priority or secure parking either. This affects all residents and workers at restaurants, bars and local businesses. The City Parking Administration is forcing all residents and workers to get monthly parking passes or be fined.
I believe there are other ways to help raise awareness on the parking challenges this community is faced with. However, City official must work together with residents to come up with better solutions, rather than force residents into contracts they do not want to be a part of forcibly.
Suggestions that could help raise awareness is to create small advertising signs on the roads with a QR Code that has a link to the City with the latest updates on how the standards of living are being improved in our District. Also in order to help to increase Revenue from parking, improve the environment and everyones quality of life of CO2 Emissions. Consider the possibility of installing 50 Solar Powered Charging stations to encourage EV and Eco Friendly Vehicles and promote awareness for sustainable energy. Solar Car Ports are a great way to generate green energy for the City, protect vehicles from the heat, rain, snow and ice and having charging stations built into them will only help further support the future of Green Development Projects in the City of Worcester. This entire area lacks Charging Stations and Solar Energy at a time when affordable energy is needed most.
We, the undersigned, petition the council to look into the City of Worcester's parking problem and restore residential parking or make residential parking permits accessible. We respectfully request that you consider the circumstances of district residents and the whole City of Worcester, as well as our rights to inexpensive and dependable parking.
As a result, we recommend that you reinstate residential parking and prioritize residential parking over all others, especially during large gatherings and events. This will provide residents with more inexpensive parking alternatives and improved access to the City. Additionally, charged parking will generate revenue that may be invested on something that is more desperately needed in the community.
Respectfully Yours,
A Concerned Community of Citizens with Natural and Constitutional Rights.
Constitution of the United States
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth_amendment
178
Petition created on March 27, 2022