by Jerry Burke
The twelve Town of Hempstead municipal parking lots in Franklin Square are suffering from overload, says the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce. Looking at them on any given weekday, it would be a tough claim to argue. To help alleviate the problem, the Chamber hosted a brainstorming public meeting last Friday at the VFW Hall.
"We're looking for suggestions from merchants and residents," said Chamber Executive Secretary Larry Prendergast. "Whether it be a change in hourly limits or ideas for increased enforcement of the laws, we need to solve the problem."
The problem, says Chamber President Frank Cutulo, is simple. "When people come to Franklin Square to shop or eat, the lots that are supposed to serve the community are constantly full. It's bad for business."
The parking spaces in the lots are divided, for the most part, into two categories: roughly a quarter of them are short-term three-hour parking while the rest are long-term twelve hour spaces.
Dr. Stuart Shapiro, a dentist who's building is next to lot FS-1 (Lincoln Rd.), says cars roll in early and stay too late. "I have personally called the Town on many occasions. My patients and customers of other businesses shouldn't have to walk great distances to reach us."
Shapiro, who is also serves as the Chamber's Secretary, claims that taxi drivers often use the lot to park their personal vehicles in while on their shifts. "You take away about 20 spaces right from the start, at the rest of the lot becomes inadequate." Lot FS-1 contains about 130 spaces, with 35 of them designated as three-hour spots.
Town Attorney Joseph Ra addressed the Chamber at the meeting, telling them that the Town is prepared to do what it takes to address their concerns. "Whatever Franklin Square can afford to do will be looked at. Everything is on the table."
Most of those attending the meeting agreed that the lack of enforcement on parking laws is the biggest problem. "Why should people bother obeying the signs if there's no deterrent?" asked one resident attending the meeting.
The lots fall under the jurisdiction of the Nassau County Fifth Precinct Police. Ra explained that cutbacks have a lot to do with the issues. "It's a vexing problem. The police are shorthanded as is and parking enforcement cannot take priority over other pressing needs."
Because there are no meters in the lots, enforcement would involve chalking a vehicle's tires and then returning to the car after the time limits are up. Fifth Precinct Sgt. Cole told those attending that the process is very time consuming and difficult to monitor. "With the twelve hour spots, there is no chance of enforcement," said Cole, reminding residents that police shifts only last twelve hours. "The same officer would have to witness the violation in order to write a summons."
With the shorter term parking spaces, Cole agreed with Ra in that manpower is at a premium. "I think everybody would rather we stop criminals and attend to traffic accidents than writing parking tickets."
The introduction of meters was also discussed to assist in enforcement. While Ra told the Chamber that meters are not cost effective, Cutulo asked that the Town look into the possibility of "meter machines," like those found in the Villages of Hempstead and Rockville Centre. "It may be more cost effective than individual meters if we only have one station for everyone to go to," said Cutulo. Ra agreed to follow up on the costs and results from the machines in those areas.
The Chamber is also pushing for an increase in short-term spaces, citing that the twelve-hour spaces invite too many to leave their car in the much-needed parking. Ra argued that while those spaces are needed for city-bound commuters who park there and then take a bus to the Jamaica subway station, that the Town would also study the dynamics behind the lots before taking action.
Much attention was given to lot FS-7, which serves Murph's, Citibank, Astoria Federal Savings, Franklin Square Pharmacy and Jani Restaurant. Murph's owner Ann Angelillo complained that her restaurant's lunch hour is hurt by the lack of parking. "A lot of people park there all day, including Atlantic City bus riders." The bus tours, says Angelillo, clog up a good portion of Franklin Square's largest lot, with people leaving their cars far past the twelve hour limit as they spend the day gambling.
Ra promised to talk to the tour bus businesses and to even look into whether or not they were allowed to operate out of the municipal lots. "When 85 percent of a lot is full all the time, it tells me its not being used properly."
While preliminary studies are underway to solve the problems, Ra and Town Traffic Control Engineer Gary Sauer said re-striping and traffic arrows eliminating traffic flow confusion are two relatively painless options the Town will use. Other suggestion will be heard. "When we propose anything, the Chamber will be notified of the public hearing and are invited to give input," said Ra.
"We'll be there," said Cutulo. "And we hope all of the community will be there."
Residents and merchants with any suggestions or problems are asked to call the Chamber at 775-0001 or the Town Traffic Control Division at 378-2260.
