Cardinals Parking by Permit Only
Last night I was scootering home along 8th street (one-way south) during the baseball game. As you may have seen before, people park along 8th between Walnut and Clark. They also park along the curved part of 7th — both areas adjacent to the Bowling Hall of Fame. The signs indicate permit parking only. Permit parking only?
I asked one of the police officers working the area what it took to get a permit, he was unsure. Is it city officials parking in these spaces? Or friends of the Cardinals? Who issues the permits and how long are they valid? What is the cost of a permit and can just anyone buy one? Where will these people park once the Ballpark Village is under way and complete? Does the city get any revenue from this parking on the public street? Who pays for the police to make sure those who park there have valid permits?
I’m long on questions and short on answers.
What’s even more infuriating is that the police start blocking off the easternmost lane several hours before the start of the game in anticipation of those special parkers – so those privileged with a permit don’t have to waste their precious time waiting for a spot to be cleared for them. That effectively chokes southbound commuters down to one lane – and I’ve seen it back up past Market St. (I’m assuming they still are parking angled-in – I work from home full time now, but back then I was commuting via 44.)
I’m all for Princess Parking and often take advantage when it’s available. But what annoys me (obviously!) is that so many commuters have to be so inconvenienced for the benefit of so few.
Do let us know if you find out anything!
I took the McGowan shuttle at 13th and Washington for Tuesday’s winner. I parked for free outside Lucas Park Grille. Screw parking permit, I had free beer on the party bus!
I could be very wrong, but I think the parking on the curved part of 7th might be handicapped?
I too could be very wrong, but years ago when I worked downtown, the street parking right near the Bowling Hall of Fame was reserved for…The Press. Lots of cars with press passes on the dashboards. Never got around to forging one of those.