Parking Permits in Prospect Heights?

The latest question grating on the minds of Prospect Heights residents is whether or not the city council will re-examine Mayor Bloomberg's failed 2008 Congestion Pricing Plan. The question has been brought back to life by City Councilwoman Letitia James' interest in these residential parking permits.

Why all this focus on the parking permits abandoned so long ago? One thing really - the Bruce Ratner NBA-Russo arena which is expected to bring in about 19,000 people on more than 300 nights a year. These visitors would be cramming into the always blocked Flatbush and Atlantic Avenue intersection.

The parking permits would force neighborhood residents to pay an addition tax to park near their own homes. Many Prospect Heights locals are up and arms. Why not tax the visiting cars or simply not allow them in? Other residents argue that Ratner should be the one paying the tax. Who will win the argument?

Parking permits aren't the only hassle the arena has brought to residents. So far it is deprived locals of one driving lane and sidewalk access along Flatbush Avenue and the same on Atlantic Avenue. Additional losses include a block of Fifth Avenue, two blocks of Pacific Street, and one Carlton Avenue Bridge. These areas were all previously free for both drivers and pedestrians.

Source - The Brooklyn Paper