Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Finding parking in Downtown Syracuse is a never ending problem for people who visit or work in the city. But it’s also become a major inconvenience for some families who live downtown.
Step outside of Joe Hall's home during business hours and you'll see a long line of cars in both directions. Turns out, Park Avenue is a hotspot for parking.
"I own this house here. I have no driveway. Ray owns this house here...he has no driveway. We have to park on this street. We can't park on the street when all these cars are parked here,’ Hall told NewsChannel 9.
The spaces are public and they’re open to anyone coming into Syracuse for work, hoping to avoid garage fees. But people who live on this block face a dilemma you'll find in parts of many cities.
"The people who are parking here don't even pay taxes to the city. We pay taxes to the city,” said Ray Bohne. "I have to park on my lawn, which is going to get me a ticket or down the street."
A rep with Mayor Stephanie Miner's office says City Hall is open to considering changes, but with a warning: "These alternatives do come with a cost, whether it be the enforcement challenge of hour-limited or metered parking, or the price to neighbors of residential parking permits -- a process that must go through the state legislature for approval."
And that wouldn't happen quickly, leaving neighbors to rely on the kindness of strangers in the absence of a solution.
"This is zoned residential A. There should be no parking, except for residents and their guests down here,” Hall said.
"If they don't want to solve the problem, give me a cut in taxes, that would be nice,” Bohne said.
The Mayor’s Office has heard form Park Avenue residents and they say they’re invited to talk about their concerns during public meetings at City Hall. Otherwise, neighbors with immediate issues can call 448-CITY.
