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Street parking around WRA is about to get tougher

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pschatz25

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2005
2,113
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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.
 
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Catreporter

Senior
Sep 4, 2007
4,960
440
83
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.
 
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Username Not Available

Sophomore
Dec 24, 2010
3,099
102
63
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.
 
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cats1967

Redshirt
Oct 3, 2004
91
0
5
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.
 
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No Chores

Senior
Jul 2, 2006
6,713
498
83
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.
 
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Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,214
2,704
67
I am going to park on some guy’s lawn, and claim that I am neurodiverse when my car gets towed.
 
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NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
21,330
1,503
113
Hungry Jack said:
I am going to park on some guy’s lawn, and claim that I am neurodiverse when my car gets towed.
Click to expand...
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.......
 
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d'son d

Redshirt
Dec 18, 2007
1,866
49
33
NJCat said:
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.......
Click to expand...
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.
 
S

Styre

Senior
Oct 14, 2004
7,733
407
83
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.
 
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hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,319
1,115
113
pschatz25 said:
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.
Click to expand...
It will be just in time for the Big Ten games. I can remember going to a big game a year ago, I had paid for season parking pass parking but was not allowed into the lot and North of the the arena signage in Wilmette saying no parking on certain days (happened to be all the BB game days), I was forced to park there anyway but I was pretty pissed. I did not get ticketed but had I, I would have been on their NU doorstep raising hell. I bought a season pass this year for the reason that with reduced parking it would be a problem for games like IL, IA etc. If they oversell again....
 
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hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,319
1,115
113
Styre said:
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.
Click to expand...
I used to park on Lincoln. Did it for years, Get there early enough and you can do a lot that you cannot if you are getting there 10 min before tipoff
 
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docrugby1

Senior
Jun 16, 2010
6,824
436
58
I read where one resident's car was partially obstructed. If he was able to get his car out, I would suggest revenge. I would let the air out of the two tires adjacent to the curb. Most cars have a spare but not two. This technique also tilts the car towards the curb preventing a lug wrench from reaching at least one lug nut. You learn more than medicine at inner city hospitals.
 
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CMcCat

Freshman
Feb 22, 2007
3,203
60
0
For everyone who still doubts that concerts will be the primary usage of the new Ryan Field, please note the stadium zoning classification is U2.
 
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zbag51

Junior
Apr 12, 2018
2,307
256
83
I am going to the game on Saturday, and have a reservation at Ten Mile at 10:00 AM. I should be able to park on Central, right? It’s more the residential areas that you can’t park?
 
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Catreporter

Senior
Sep 4, 2007
4,960
440
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Game is on Sunday, right? I don't think the residential ban starts until the New Year so you should be okay. Central Street parking may be free on Sundays. Check the signs. Good luck.
 
Purple Pile Driver

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,162
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Catreporter said:
Game is on Sunday, right? I don't think the residential ban starts until the New Year so you should be okay. Central Street parking may be free on Sundays. Check the signs. Good luck.
Click to expand...
There were paper signs stapled to the light poles for the DePaul game.
 
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Catreporter

Senior
Sep 4, 2007
4,960
440
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Purple Pile Driver said:
There were paper signs stapled to the light poles for the DePaul game.
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Didn't know that, but as someone suggested, park west of Green Bay on Lincoln or an intersecting street and it is just a couple block walk to Ten Mile and on Sunday, the parking should not be limited to two hours.
 
Purple Pile Driver

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
27,162
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Catreporter said:
Didn't know that, but as someone suggested, park west of Green Bay on Lincoln or an intersecting street and it is just a couple block walk to Ten Mile and on Sunday, the parking should not be limited to two hours.
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It was a 1-6pm restriction. Game was at 3. Lot was jammed, so walked about 6-7 blocks to WR.
 
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StratCat84

Redshirt
Jun 11, 2008
30
6
8
Catreporter said:
Game is on Sunday, right? I don't think the residential ban starts until the New Year so you should be okay. Central Street parking may be free on Sundays. Check the signs. Good luck.
Click to expand...
I went to the women's game today and there were signs for no parking between 10 and 3 tomorrow
 
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pschatz25

Redshirt
Nov 29, 2005
2,113
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cedricmelons said:
I'm going to the game tomorrow. So where do we think the nearest free parking is at this point?
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I've only seen the usual gameday parking restriction signs along Central St on the blocks just East and West of Ashland. I haven't seen any new signs off Central. I'm expecting status quo for tomorrow's game with the new restrictions going into effect for future games. I'm planning to park west of Green Bay and might experiment with the Linden el station lot.
 
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thewildcat2011

Senior
Jul 25, 2011
7,670
537
113
pschatz25 said:
I've only seen the usual gameday parking restriction signs along Central St on the blocks just East and West of Ashland. I haven't seen any new signs off Central. I'm expecting status quo for tomorrow's game with the new restrictions going into effect for future games. I'm planning to park west of Green Bay and might experiment with the Linden el station lot.
Click to expand...
We think Asbury is good to go?
 
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zbag51

Junior
Apr 12, 2018
2,307
256
83
I parked on Central a bit west of the stadium in the more commercial area in front of Ten Mile House. No problem for a Sunday, but don’t think that’ll work for other days. We got there early enough for brunch before the game, so not sure how parking availability would have been closer to game time.
 
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