Police enforce parking ban

In addition to a highly-contested football game and homecoming festivities, Saturday will bring an Ohio State parking ban.

Students who usually park on certain sections of Lane and Chittenden Avenues will be forced to move their cars to a different parking location due to a ban issued by the Columbus Police Department.

The ban will start Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. and will continue until 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, according to a university press release.

The map below shows where parking is banned and where vehicles will be towed. View Larger Map

Police will enforce the ban on both sides of Lane Avenue between Tuller Street and Indianola Street, along with both sides of Chittenden Avenue between High Street and Summit Street.

Anyone affected by the ban will be provided parking at Ohio State's West Campus Carmack number one parking lot, beginning noon Friday. The parking lot is located on the southwest corner of Carmack and Kenny Roads, near the Jesse Owens West Recreation Center.

The lot will not require parking passes from noon Friday through midnight Sunday.

Beginning on Saturday at 9 a.m. Columbus police will begin moving vehicles parked on the listed streets to Carmack lot number one, free of charge. However, police encourage students to move their vehicles before this begins.

"We would like to get people to move their cars on their own," said Sarah Blouch, director of traffic and transport.

"The buses run [to the Carmack lot] all night, so you can get back and forth."

Students who park their vehicles in restricted areas after 9 a.m. Saturday will pay a price.

The cost to retrieve an impounded vehicle will be at least $160, depending on the specific violation cited and how quickly the driver claims the car. The towing fee is $95 and there is also a $15 per day storing charge.

After the initial moving period, any car parked on the listed streets will be issued a parking ticket and impounded to the Columbus Division of Police impound lot at 400 West Whittier Ave.

Even though the process of moving a vehicle can be a nuisance, Jo Baker, a junior in social work, understands the need for students to comply.

"I understand the police need to keep the streets clear with the amount of people coming to campus for the game," Baker said.

Individuals who think their vehicle may have been towed can call 614-645-6400, with license plate information and the location where the vehicle was parked.

It can be tricky to find a place to park on game day, Blouch said. "If you find a parking lot that is too good to be true, it might be."

Holly Davis can be reached at davis.2345@osu.edu.