IN CHICAGO, It's Free to Enjoy Lakefront Parks and Beaches - But No More Free Ride To Park Your Car!
4,000 CURRENTLY-UN-METERED PARKING SPACES TO BE METERED BY FALL, HUNDREDS MORE WITH METERS FACE INCREASED FEES!
The Chicago Lake Michigan Lakefront. It's the city's Crown Jewel! Each year, thousands of Chicago residents and visitors flock to the beaches, lakefront parks, and famous museums. And, aside from the museums, enjoying The Lakefront is FREE!
For many years, even parking your car is free! But not for long!
As reported by Dan P. Blake, in today's Chicago Tribune, by the end of this year, parking along the Lake will run at least $1.00 an hour, with many currently metered spots going for up to $4.00 per hour! And those spaces with no meters currently will feature cash-or-credit-card payment machines, each spitting out paid receipts to place on your dash as proof of payment.
Of course, opponents of the new paid-parking plan are livid! Most are still incensed over an across-the-city meter increase last January, which boosted parking fees as much as four-fold across the city, and has forced Chicago Drivers to fill their pockets with 16 quarters to pay for an hour of parking in The Chicago Loop.
Further, numerous drivers have been outraged about far more aggressive parking enforcement techniques by the private company contracted to manage the Chicago Parking Meter System, and widespread inconsistencies in parking enforcement.
The Chicago Park District supports the new fees, and estimates projected revenue approaching $700,000 during the first year. District officials say the new revenue stream will prevent mass district layoffs, and service cutbacks at parks.
As part of a three-year deal approved this past week, the Chicago Park District will keep meter revenue, after paying a maximum $86,000 annual fee to Standard Parking for managing the program. After start-up costs are covered, annual revenues could increase to nearly $1.5 Million each year, according to Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
