Merchants, restaurants, theaters and concert venues in the City of New Haven are to be commended on providing the city’s residents and visitors with outstanding evenings in New Haven. But, then there is our Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking, which seems to do everything in its power to pull the rug out from their efforts.
For example, on April 19, Woolsey Hall was packed with concert goers who enjoyed an incredible performance by the Yale Camerata, Yale Glee Club, and Yale Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale. The event started at 8, and ended around 10:30. After the concert, more than a third of the cars parked along Grove Street were ticketed for parking violations. Unfortunately, this is a very common occurrence in New Haven. Instead of remembering an evening in New Haven as being one of good food or outstanding entertainment, the last and longest-lasting memory for many is the aggravation of the parking ticket provided by the City of New Haven.
Why is this so? I can think of at least two recent changes that make parking in New Haven a hassle. The first reason is the change from 5 p.m. to the extended hours of 9 p.m. that parking meter fees are required. The second, and more ridiculous, reason is that we now have a hodgepodge of parking meters. Some meters only take quarters, while others take coins or credit cards. All of the ticketed cars on Grove Street were parked next to meters that only accept coins, and to attend the concert one would have had to come prepared with at least $3 in quarters.
I appeal to the next mayor and Board of Alderman to rethink the misguided and counter-productive system now in place that makes parking a significant deterrent to anyone contemplating shopping or an evening out in downtown New Haven.
Gary Cline
New Haven