Parking Enforcement Hits Medford Square

It isn't your imagination -- that orange piece of paper on the windshield of a car that's been parked on Riverside Avenue for the last four hours is a parking ticket.

Starting Monday, April 4, the city began enforcing parking space regulations in Medford Square, Mayor Michael McGlynn said Wednesday.

Though no police officer or city employee is solely dedicated to parking enforcement, duties have been split between three police patrolmen during the business day. In the past, it was only one -- if any at all.

"It's no longer a burden of one particular car or officer," McGlynn said. "It's only been a couple of days, but they're doing a great job."

The officers who are ticketing are on patrol and would leave their ticketing duties, if warranted, McGlynn said.

"People have to understand that numbers are down," he said. "If there are other calls for public safety, that's the priority."

The enforcement efforts in the square coincide with the city's spring street sweeping, which also began this week.

McGylnn acknowleged the city had experienced a "little lag" in parking enforcement recently, but said enforcing parking rules will be key in moving forward with plans to build a parking garage on Governors Avenue.

The city currently has plans to build a 178 car parking garage for $7.5 million on Governors Ave., behind the newly built Salvatore's restaurant.

As part of implementing the garage, the city will have to choose rates and also decide where meters -- or parking kiosks -- will go in spaces beyond the garage, McGlynn said. About 1200 spaces will have to be identified, he said.

City officials have four final Archetectural firm candidates for the design of the garage, McGlynn said. A selection will be made within the next two weeks and a design aims to be completed by June, he said. The project could be put out to bid around the same time, he said.

The square has been without a garage since 2005, when a four-story garage was demolished.

"Obviously, we need it. It's a decision the city made long before my administration when they built the first garage," McGlynn said. "I can’t wait to get it back there."