By Bill Parry
Dozens of angry Court Square residents joined City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) to call on the Department of Transportation to restore nearly 190 public parking permits that were withdrawn from the neighborhood. After a policy change, DOT officials significantly decreased the number of monthly parking permits and began using the public spaces to house agency vehicles and materials.
“Parking is precious in Long Island City and to take away these much-needed spaces is dead wrong,” Van Bramer said. “What has been done can be undone. We are calling on the agency to give back these parking spaces to the hardworking residents of Long Island City who deserve it.”
The reduction of spaces has disrupted the lives of many residents and businesses who have relied on the Court Square Municipal Parking Garage.
for over a decade. Street parking in the neighborhood is extremely limited.
Resident Martie Holmer has used the garage for 10 years since he moved his business from Manhattan to LIC. “Now, suddenly, the number of permits have been reduced by one third,” he said. “If the city vehicles and machines were not stored here, we would not have the problem we have today. If this structure carries the name Municipal Parking, then let it be for the cars of the people, not for storage of city vehicles.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
