COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY VAN BRAMER PROTESTS NEW PARKING METERS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS IN DUTCH KILLS
On Monday, December 5th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer was joined by the Dutch Kills Civic Association, Community Board One and concerned residents for a rally and press conference to protest the installation of new Muni-Meters on 29th Street in Dutch Kills.
Lack of parking has long plagued the Dutch Kills community. In this location in particular, sixty families share just eight public parking spots on 29th Street between 41st Street and Queens Plaza North. Only five of those spots are reserved for cars with City parking placards, however, due to abuse of parking placards, nearly all of the spots are taken up by city vehicles, at times illegally.
At the rally, Council Member Van Bramer called upon the DOT to stop placard abuse in Dutch Kills and to enforce responsible parking. The Council Member also expressed concern about the lack of notification when installing muni-meters. No local elected officials or community members received any notice before the installation of the meters began. As a response to this ongoing problem, Council Member Van Bramer has proposed legislation that would require consultation with the Community Board before meters could be installed.
“We are calling on the DOT to end the placard abuse in Dutch Kills that is attacking the quality of life of the neighborhood. I am calling on the city to protect the rights of the residents of this block, and surrounding blocks, to park near their homes. Muni-meters will further restrict their opportunity to use these spaces,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “To avoid these problems in the future, I have proposed legislation to make sure the local community board is consulted whenever new meters are proposed.”
“We are victims at the hands of the city of New York, Muni/Meters if installed would make the residents of 29th Street pay $9 dollars a day, six days a week to park in front of their homes, while City workers would use their city placard at the muni-meters and not pay at all,” said Dutch Kills Civic Association President and neighborhood resident Jerry Walsh.