Planned parking changes drew sharp criticism during a June 15 town hall meeting sponsored by Alderman Robert Fioretti to review the parking study the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) commissioned for the Near South area bounded by Congress Parkway on the north, 25th Street and the Stevenson Expressway on the south, Lake Shore Drive on the east, and Clark Street and the Chicago River on the west.

According to TranSystems Corp., which performed the study and focused only on Tuesday through Thursday parking, the surveyed area holds about 1,300 metered, 1,300 residential permit, and 1,800 free spaces. It also has about 25,000 spots in parking garage spaces and 10,000 more in surface lots. The study showed 57% of on-street parking used during the day and 53% occupied evenings and nights.

TranSystems recommended consolidating the area’s nine permit parking zones to five zones. Fioretti agreed, saying it would “simplify the permit parking process while offering more options to permit holders” by making underused areas available. He added it should not be necessary to get a letter from his office before purchasing parking permits and that re-zoning would eliminate this problem.

The company also recommended converting free parking to metered parking — a move Fioretti opposed strongly, saying, “Free parking should be available for residents.” — and creating dual-use parking spaces, which would be metered by day and permit controlled at night.

TranSystems spokesperson Ryan P. Jacox emphasized proper signage would explain the dual parking regulations.

In suggesting surface lots be replaced with garages, TranSystems cited data from the City showing most condominium buildings provide 0.9 parking spaces per residential unit. Jacox added condominium building garages would be encouraged to rent available parking spots to non-residents.

Most people at the meeting criticized the study and its recommendations.

Tina Feldstein of the Prairie District Neighbors Association said, “The study was not an accurate depiction of the South Loop. I was shocked that they did not take into account Soldier Field, McCormick Place, Grant Park events, and that they did not include Friday through Sunday in the study.” Many people drive to the South Loop for these events, she said, and use street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods; many McCormick Place employees park their cars in the same areas.

Other attendees representing retail and tourist destinations such as Glessner House also expressed concern about the recommendations.

Dennis McClendon of the South Loop Neighbors Association said, “Guest parking, especially south of Roosevelt Road, is very limited. We need incentives for condominium developers to include accessory parking.” CDOT’s Christopher Wuellner defended TranSystems, saying its team “did a very good job.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged every study “has its limitations” and told the audience “We want to hear from you. The [TranSystems] recommendations are not final.”

For more information, call CDOT at (312) 744-3600 or Fioretti’s office at (312) 263-9273.

— Marie Balice Ward