Since October 25, Blogfinger has posted 4 articles about the BPA–Better Parking Alliance. We have celebrated the grass roots that this group represents, but we have not been enthused with what we have heard so far.
Despite the hoopla and confidence contained in the BPA pronouncements, the parking problems in OG still seem insoluble.
Our approach to this story is to remain available to report the news to our readers, because parking issues in the Grove remain vital, and to give Andy Levine and his band of brothers and sisters some breathing room to move their plan forward.
However, the BPA itself has already made their plan’s details public, leaving themselves open to preemptive criticism and room for some debate now, perhaps before they are ready.
To quote Andy Levine, “The stated goal (of the plan) is to pinpoint and implement a parking solution that balances the needs of Ocean Grove’s diverse constituencies.” But for those who have been here for many years, this sounds less like a doable goal and more like a fatal flaw.
Our skepticism comes from a variety of sources. In our October 25th post, we said,
“If they had read the Blogfinger articles they would have found our discussions about a very important variable which they don’t mention, and that is the recurrent town-clogging, tourist-multiplying events which occur much too often for such a small town.
“They need to look at other Shore towns and compare our tourist burdens with theirs. And they should look at the CMA’s religious tourism as well in terms of parking impact, because they are increasing their year round programs.
“And not to mention these mega-events is a major defect, because it is on those weekends where we suffer the most parking trauma. Just imagine a summer Saturday without a mega-event, and Ocean Grove gets transformed into real small town America with parking.”
Also we wonder why they aren’t pushing for a current parking study by an expert. This BPA group consists of well-intentioned amateurs who are sticking their necks far out, and they will have their hair mussed over at the Mother Ship.
And this proposal contains some wishful thinking that somehow Grovarians would offer to bring less cars into town. Really?
Another puzzling claim by the BPA is that “the program will maintain day-long access for visitors. This is important for the character of the community, to local businesses, and the the Camp Meeting Association.”
They make that claim because they are proposing a trial permit parking plan at the North End only, and only after 6 pm. This seems to be because they want to satisfy the Camp Meeting and the business community. How that helps the “character of the community” is murky at best.
If you are going to represent the citizens, then you can’t be all things to all factions in town. And, if relief is only after 6 pm, then the locals will have very little relief. This plan may prove to be all smoke and mirrors.
Of the various stated objectives, the one that seems to have the most promise is to deprive spaces for the night crawlers going to Asbury who park on the north side of town, but if I were an Asburian invader, typically 20 something, than I would park on the south side of Main and walk or bike the rest of the way. The parking virus will spread across town.
So these are just a few issues which already have surfaced, but for now, the Better (but not best so far) Parking Alliance, will present a specific “pilot proposal” to the Neptune Committee Workshop on December 9 at 6 pm. The public may go but not say anything. For that they must wait hours for the Public Portion of the open session that begins at 7 PM. And then, a speaker only gets 5 minutes.
We are purposely not posting the pilot program details before the BPA gets a chance to run it by the Neptuners next week, but their own leaks have opened some critical doors. And don’t hold your breath for a joyous reception at the Municipal Building to any idea that would help OG with its parking.
It’s amazing the CMA isn’t filing suit already, but perhaps certain promises have been made to mollify them.
When there’s more news on this, we will let you know.
Contact the BPA by email: betterparkingalliance@gmail.com
Paul Goldfinger, Editor.
Jack Bredin, researcher/reporter.
* Cartoon by Sue Gioulis for Blogfinger.net
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND “The Bucket’s Got a Hole in It.”
How about giving OG homeowners a pass to park anywhere in the Grove and leave “Open” spaces, like on Main Ave and Ocean for visitors?
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I suggest an ordinance that limits giant events in OG to a grand total of 3 per year, especially during the prime months. Such events are inappropriate for any small town, but especially one as crowded as this one. Bradley Beach has none, and Belmar has one. Everything else is on a small scale for the locals and limited tourism such as the house tours and the Town-Wide Yard Sale.
Why should any faction in town be allowed more than one mega-event? This is not Disneyland. This is where several thousand people actually live.
Reducing the number of tourist cars is the way to go instead of trying for more parking spaces. After all, who benefits from mega-events, and what is the price to pay for those events during the best time of year when residents who pay taxes and rents year round get to enjoy their town?
This parking plan will get nowhere trying to spin the wheels of compromise while compromising the needs of residents and missing the point besides.
Blogfinger — Thank you for the voice of reason.
Having permit parking in one park of town will only shift the problem to other parts of town – I live on Main and Lawrence- we see Asbury Park employees and tourists park on our end of town and walk right over to Asbury.
The arts center eliminated some of their parking spaces and have never completed the parking lot on the other side of their building – what’s up with .that ,I wonder. So we have overflow from the Arts center as well.
Tom. You raise several issues.
No matter what permit plan might be proposed, I doubt that any would guarantee a spot, much less one near your house.
Second, there should be no charge for homeowners. Do those who live in crime ridden neighborhoods pay extra for more police protection? Sometimes one part of town might need extra services compared to others without being charged extra fees.
As for competition for spaces, there would be less competition for you under a permit plan. At least you won’t compete with an invading army of tourists, unless the permit spaces are full.———
And finally, if this is a true emergency, hang up and call my cell..
Even though I live in the north end, the parking situation doesn’t bother me as much as it does some folks. What would bother me is having to pay money to park near my own house and worse yet – paying money and then still having to compete for a parking spot with all the other people who pay for a parking pass.