In light of neighbor feedback regarding issues with the implementation of the new snow parking pilot program in the West End during this January's blizzard, Councilor Rachel Miller, the Providence Department of Public Works, WBNA, and other stakeholders have issued a joint letter. Changes made to improve the pilot include:
Change the timing of the follow-up plow of the even numbered side of the street to: require that cars be moved from the even numbered side by 8am of the next day after the end of the snow emergency.
Install physical signage on all affected streets making it clear to parkers (and police officers and tow trucks) what the rules are, including which side is the even side (we get that question a lot), and when to move from the even side so it can be cleared.
Work with the Providence Police Department to issue tickets to cars which are incorrectly parked to incentivize neighbors to comply with the program.
For additional questions or suggestions, please reach out to Liza Farr at the Department of Public Works, 401-680-7573.
Read the full letter:
Dear Neighbors,
We (Providence DPW, Councilor Rachel Miller, and neighborhood organizers) are writing to respond to some of the feedback that we have received regarding the city’s pilot program to allow on-street parking during a snow emergency so far this winter.
The snow-parking pilot program was conceived in early 2021 by a group of neighbors in the West End who called for an alternative for those who do not have access to off-street parking during citywide parking bans. Before the pilot program, many of our neighbors who pay for on-street parking had nowhere to go during a snow emergency parking ban–resulting in tickets, towed cars, and panicked searches for places to put their car. The group felt that making on-street parking more viable could offer many benefits, especially for those low-income residents who lack off-street parking and are negatively affected by parking bans. This group of neighbors also wanted to make it possible for more people to replace off-street parking in backyards and vacant lots with gardens, new homes, and reduced storm-water runoff.
To gauge the interest of other neighbors, the group fliered homes and cars on the streets included in the pilot, received feedback, and reviewed their responses. As a result, together with the Department of Public Works, the Providence Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and City Councilor Rachel Miller, it was decided to implement a pilot program allowing alternate-side parking during citywide parking bans. The first test of the pilot was during the early January snow storm, and the feedback was largely positive, including this piece in the Providence Journal.
In the blizzard of January 28-29 this year, over 20 inches of snow fell on Providence, making it one of the top five snow storms since records began. The city’s snow removal team worked hard for days clearing snow to get our schools, businesses, and streets open. It was a tremendous task. Unfortunately, while working to clear streets city-wide, some elements of the parking pilot program were not executed as planned. We’ve received a lot of feedback, both positive and negative about the pilot program and about plowing in general. We appreciate this feedback and are using it to help improve the design of the program.
Some general categories of comments:
Frustration with the poor quality of snow plowing in general
Appreciation from people who now have a safe and affordable way to store their car through a snowstorm
No enforcement on cars parked in the wrong place
No follow-up plowing of the even side after cars have moved over
Specific ideas to improve plowing or on-street parking on certain streets
Frustration with the increased number of people parking on street in general
Frustration with irate neighbors doing a poor job of clearing sidewalks (or throwing snow from parked cars onto already cleared sidewalks).
We appreciate all this feedback as it helps us to continue to improve the pilot and for DPW to improve snow plowing and on-street parking in general. We want to respond to a few specific areas of feedback now:
On parking enforcement: the city’s towing capacity was around 500 cars, which was reduced by the scale of the total blizzard snowfall to around 350. Priority was placed on cars in dangerous situations.The tow yards (which must be located in Providence) were full by 1:30PM on Saturday, January 29th, so no more vehicles could be towed.
On follow-up plowing: GPS logs were reviewed, along with instructions to drivers, and schedules. The affected streets were scheduled for even-side follow up plowing, but we learned after the fact that it was never done.
Here are changes being made to improve the pilot:
Change the timing of the follow-up plow of the even numbered side of the street to: require that cars be moved from the even numbered side by 8am of the next day after the end of the snow emergency.
Install physical signage on all affected streets making it clear to parkers (and police officers and tow trucks) what the rules are, including which side is the even side (we get that question a lot), and when to move from the even side so it can be cleared.
Work with the Providence Police Department to issue tickets to cars which are incorrectly parked to incentivize neighbors to comply with the program.
It’s also important to remember that with such an historic snowfall, plowing and shoveling would have been very difficult, regardless of whether there was on street parking. We thank neighbors for their patience, understanding, and open communication with each other and with the city as we continue to work to improve how we use our streets and manage snow.
For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Liza Farr at the Department of Public Works, 401-680-7573.
Rachel Miller, City Councilor
Leo Perrotta, Director of Public Works, City of Providence
Liza Farr, Curbside Administrator, City of Providence
Siobhan Callahan, Interim Executive Director, WBNA
Seth Zeren, lead neighborhood organizer, Harrison Street