Street parking around WRA is about to get tougher

[pschatz25]

Earlier this week the City Council approved an ordinance implementing gameday parking restrictions (link, the relevant blurb is 2/3 down). The Roundtable summary is light on details and raises at least one important question. It starts by saying the ordinance goes into effect immediately, but later there's a quote that they're not planning to install new signage until after the first of the year. So when will it start being enforced?

As the article mentioned, this idea has been in discussion for several years. I assumed it would happen, but was hoping it wouldn't be until the new stadium opens and the East lot is back in new and improved form. That will reduce the number of people parking on the streets, which is noticeably higher since the East lot closed during last season.

Fortunately, a number of alternatives to street parking have been added with the passage of this ordinance. Just kidding. I haven't seen any new proposed alternatives, and I don't really expect to. Since the East lot closed NU has promoted the garage on Central across from the parking lot and that's it. I live about a mile and a half from the arena. I often take the CTA bus to football games, but it stops running at 8:30p on weekdays and doesn't run on Sundays so it's not very helpful for basketball games. I guess it's time to scope out a spot just outside the restricted zone. Good luck to people who don't know the area and get blindsided by this change.

 

[Catreporter]

I always parked in the neighborhood before the team got so popular but I have opted for the lot the last two years and season ticket holders are the only ones that can get west lot parking this year. I think the hospital lot is free on Sundays when a couple games will be played and for the night games it could be a good alternative because the price is only four dollars.

 

[EagerFan]

In the days of my youth I was much more willing to park somewhere and hike in to the games, but I've been buying a parking pass for a while now. It just removes a lot of the stress while driving in from the western 'burbs.

Is it possible to park at the Linden Station? I've done that for football in the past and it was a pretty reasonable walk.

 

[its_the_sauce]

Just park west of Green Bay, not a long walk at all (no longer than walking from hospital)

 

[cats1967]

Assume you are talking about Evanston. Wilmette began limiting street parking for bball last year, basically for the BTen games. Focus is on several blocks north of Isabella and East and West of 5th and there are signs posted. Police also block 5th at Isabella post game to limit traffic in Wilmette although I don’t think that accomplishes much.

 

[No Chores]

If you live in the area, but the walk is a little much, why not take a cab or an Uber. That's what I do for football games when I stay at the Orrington.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I am going to park on some guy’s lawn, and claim that I am neurodiverse when my car gets towed.

 

[EagerFan]

That and $350 will get your car back.

 

[NJCat]

I am going to park on some guy’s lawn, and claim that I am neurodiverse when my car gets towed.

Weigh, Hey, Tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
From Wilmette to Gary there's nothing so scary,
And we always collect our fee.......

 

[d'son d]

Weigh, Hey, Tow them away,
The Lincoln Park Pirates are we,
From Wilmette to Gary there's nothing so scary,
And we always collect our fee.......

Thanks for that, NJ. He would have been spectacular through the years with all the material available in Chicago and the suburbs or him to work with.

 

[d'son d]

I am going to park on some guy’s lawn, and claim that I am neurodiverse when my car gets towed.

Lucky me with a friend nearby with a large driveway where we would tailgate regularly.

 

[Styre]

Been driving to basketball games for nearly 20 years and with about 5-6 exceptions in that entire time I have always parked for free on Ashland on the first block south of Central. If you get there a little early, parking on the right side of the street is always wide open because nobody reads what the parking signs actually say until right before tipoff. It is the end of an era - now I have to decide if I just want to park outside the perimeter or pay for the hospital lot.