Residents were caught off-guard when the City of Columbus announced this weekend’s parking restrictions in some off-campus areas.
“We didn’t know this was going to happen. We regret the inconvenience to students, but it’s more for the protection of personal property than it is a punishment,” said Ruth Gerstner, communications director for Student Affairs.
On Tuesday, signs were posted on Norwich, Chittenden, 12th and 13th avenues, notifying residents of the parking ban beginning at 4 p.m. Friday and ending at noon Sunday. Restrictions include the area from High Street to Indianola Avenue. The streets are areas where damage to vehicles and other personal property has occurred in the past.
Students will have several alternative parking options during the weekend. Any student with a valid Ohio State parking permit can park in the West Campus lots. The Campus Area Bus Service will continue to run, except from 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.
“Students can bring their cars out. They will be away from any danger that may or may not happen,” said Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation and Parking.
For those without a university parking pass, free parking will be available in the J. Leonard Camera Center, 2050 Kenny Rd. Student Affairs wants students to park above the first two visitor parking garage levels.
A flier to be distributed to students living in the affected areas must be displayed on the car dashboard to park in the garage. From the garage, students can walk to the CABS bus stop in front of Blankenship Hall. The garage will be available during the entire weekend, ending at noon Sunday.
“We are doing everything that we can to let students know where they can go to park,” Gerstner said. “There will be fliers handed out, information on the Web and a letter from the vice president that will be sent to each student through e-mail.”
Students’ and residents’ cars left in restricted areas will be towed to the city impound lot, and owners will pay a fee to reclaim their car.
The Columbus Division of Police approached the Department of Public Service and requested it prohibit parking and place the signs announcing the ban.
“This is just a way to keep personal property safe, just as the additional clean-up around the campus core will be,” said Mary Carran Webster, assistant director of Public Service.
Webster said the Division of Refuse Collection will be conducting more area clean-ups in addition to their regular Tuesday and Thursday trash pick-ups. There will be an additional pick-up on Friday to empty all large trash containers as well as each 300 and 900 gallon trash container along High Street. The division has contacted area businesses and asked them to empty their large trash containers through their personal trash collection companies as well.
“We are trying to decrease property damage due to parties over the weekend by removing fire hazards and excess waste that could be harmful,” Webster said.
The refuse center will continue to collect trash starting at 5:30 a.m. Saturday and ending Sunday with an evening street sweeping of High Street.
