CINCINNATI -- After years of requests, meetings and multiple versions, the city administration released its newest attempt at a parking plan for Over-the-Rhine that guarantees spaces to residents of the neighborhood.
The concept is a welcome one for people like Rachel Webb, who described the process of parking near her home as "hectic, time-consuming" and expensive.
The newest version of the plan -- embedded below -- lays out how many parking spaces will be reserved for residents, how many spaces will have meters and how many will be so-called "flex" spaces. Flex spaces are metered but will be available for residents at no cost, provided the vehicle is displaying a permit.
Not included in the details: how much the parking permit will cost OTR residents.
"I would think around a $70-100 range is reasonable," Webb said.
Brandon Hardee, who also lives in Over-the-Rhine, wanted to knock it down a little: $40-50 would be just right for him.
The plan calls for 1,290 on-street parking spaces:
- 365 residential-only spaces
- 602 metered spaces
- 323 flex spaces
A draft version of the Over-the-Rhine residential parking plan. Click or tap to enlarge. (Provided)
So far, the plan only lays out parking configurations for neighborhood streets south of Liberty Street. Parking configurations north of Liberty will come later in a second phase.
The plan provides for three types of permits: full-time residential, visitor and temporary.
To be implemented, the parking plan would require approval from City Council. Mayor John Cranley vetoed two previous attempts to establish a residential parking plan in the neighborhood.
"I think it would make residency in OTR a little more approachable and definitely show that the neighborhood's on the city's radar" if the plan were passed, Webb said.
Along with the residential parking plan, City Council is expected to vote on a measure that would lift parking minimum requirements for new housing and business developments in the neighborhood.
OTR Parking Recommendations by WCPO Web Team on Scribd
Pat LaFleur reports on transportation and mobility for WCPO. Connect with him on Twitter (@pat_laFleur) and on Facebook.
