Flynn pitches seven-day resident-only parking to solve Southie “parking crisis”
City Councilor Ed Flynn has called for a hearing to explore a neighborhood-wide, seven-day, resident-only parking policy in South Boston. Flynn argued that South Boston’s unprecedented growth over the past two decades, with even more development on the way, requires the current parking policy to evolve.
“It is no longer tenable for the absence of an updated seven nights per week ‘Resident Parking Only’ policy for areas of South Boston that still lack one, and the consistent enforcement it requires,” he said in a statement.
Currently, South Boston requires residency permits Monday through Thursday between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. During this time, vehicles without a Resident Parking Permit, indicated by a sticker, are prohibited and subject to ticketing.
Flynn’s proposal would span the entire week and require the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) to intensify parking enforcement across the neighborhood’s roughly 10,600 on-street parking spaces.
Flynn called the “parking crisis” a public safety issue. Illegal parking in handicap spots, on crosswalks, and in front of bus stops, fire hydrants, and private driveways has increased over the past two decades due to South Boston’s unprecedented growth. With even more development on the horizon, the councilor called the expansion necessary to protect residents.
“With other neighborhoods having 24/7 parking restrictions, this compromise is more than fair to help address both the public safety and quality of life issues my constituents face every weekend,” Flynn said. “I understand that not everyone will agree with my proposal, and the need for the City to also explore caregiver passes and visitor zones; however, the status quo is simply unacceptable.”
He also called for a new multi-level municipal parking garage to be built on West Broadway, to accommodate the influx of visitors to the street’s many businesses and restaurants.
“South Boston neighbors, our small businesses and I know the demand for parking in our neighborhood. Constructing a parking garage at this site, similar to others in our city and nearby towns, would provide the dual benefit of supporting our small business community and relief for our residents when it comes to our existing parking crisis,” he said.
The new garage would be built over the parking lot next to 460 West Broadway. The old bank recently received Zoning Board approval to be converted into the new home of the municipal court currently located on East Broadway.
Residents have been wary of the development’s impact on traffic since its inception. A parallel lot could lessen the impact courthouse visitors would have on street parking while opening up the street to even more visitors.
Both hearing orders have been referred to Committee to be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Jacob Downey is a contributor to Caught in Dot. He is formerly of The Clock, Plymouth State University’s award-winning student newspaper. He enjoys spending time with his two kittens – Gin and Tonic – reading Uncanny X-Men and writing about local government meetings.
Ed is the bomb!
I have been pushing for this for over a year now. There are so many out-of-state cars in South Boston taking up taxpaying citizens’ residential spots. We pay more in insurance and licensing to have a residential permit, yet I can not take my elderly mom out to run errands on a Saturday and find parking within 4 blocks because everyone from out of town knows it’s free parking in Southie all weekend. Besides that, even on weekdays when I call 311, enforcement is NONEXISTENT. I have had open 311 tickets for weeks before they are just summarily closed with no reason.
Sorry i don’t agree with 7 day pass .
Build a parking garage at west broadway and be proactive not reactive .
Frank T wrote it all. No one is ticketed. Weekends are a free for all. Out of state vehicle’s everywhere .We need 7 day resident stickers.Also need employees working Thursdays to Monday am.
And We were proactive years ago. However no one wants to pay Massachusetts insurance. Register vehicle LegAlly where it now is parked. Idea:open the area down by castle island for those on east side.
7 Days a week.. they have in the NORTH END, BEACON HILL, BACK BAY, SEAPORT, time for the RESIDENTS OF SOUTH BOSTON WITH CHILDREN to get a break.. I can’t park. y car in HULL to go to their beach..
This is long overdue. It needs enforcement, too.
Does anyone living in South Boston have relatives who might like to visit their grandchildren? I suppose we could just meet at Castle Island, or drive by and wave. The situation really can be traced back to the 90’s when all the pillars of the community started speculating in their own neighborhood, getting filthy rich and displacing their own neighbors. You’re all closing the barn door much too late. There’s nothing left of the real South Boston. For that matter there’s very little left of the CIty of Boston.
love that you ruin the community so 90% had to leave now they arent welcomed back either
Maybe have some type of day/night pass so people who have family there can come and visit instead of getting a ticket while at my father’s wake/funeral. Just something to think about🤷
Parking enforcement is a joke, 311 about out of state plates even funnier .Driving around looking for a parking spot after work is like searching for the holy grail. To many cars & not enough spaces.
Come the weekend all of the rookies show up to wait inline on broadway and park in our spaces. It’s time for 7 day a week parking & work out some visitor space parking
Could not agree more on 7 day, 24 hour resident parking. My block is full of out of state plates and cars with no resident stickers. Insurance fraud, much?
Calling it a crisis is total nonsense. Rather than expanding exclusionary policies, I encourage the City to focus on a more balanced, community-minded solution:
1. Conduct a thorough audit of active permits and tie renewals to proof of residency.
2. Increase enforcement of existing resident parking regulations, particularly for vehicles with out-of-state plates that are effectively being stored in South Boston while avoiding MA registration requirements.
3. Explore capping the number of permits issued per household to better manage street space.
4. Develop a thoughtful visitor pass program that preserves access for caregivers and guests, and considers the needs of residents who do not own vehicles.
I disagree with this. Also, how about a general Boston parking pass? Why can’t residents of Boston park anywhere within Boston city limits with our stickers? That would be something of value rather than these ridiculous ideas.