Chicago Says No to Creative Parking Space Savers

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A milk crate and a child’s chair stand guard over a parking space in a Chicago neighborhood

For years, it has been a tradition in some of Chicago’s residential neighborhoods for residents to lay claim to the street parking directly in front of their homes. This is especially true of Chicagoans after they shovel out the snow following a big storm: they want to preserve their newly accessible space for the benefit of their own vehicle. Now, however, the city is pushing back against the practice of “space saving.”

The use of folding chairs, tray tables, road cones, buckets, children’s toys and even barbecue grills to “reserve” choice parking spaces on Chicago’s streets has apparently worn thin the patience of the powers that be.

On January 22, Chicago’s Streets and Sanitation Department issued a stern message urging residents to remove their “space savers” from the streets or risk having the department clear the items themselves. The city explained that while they were initially tolerant after the heavy snow fall the area received, the amnesty period has since passed and obstructions in the public parkway must be removed.

Several city alderman sent letters on the new policy to their residents, including this great example from the 33^rd Ward’s Richard Mell who sympathized with the tradition of space saving but minced no words in calling for the clearing of his ward’s streets.

Residents wishing to report space savers in their neighborhood have been asked to contact their local Streets and Sanitation ward yard or their alderman’s office.

So, why so much fuss over an 8 by 16 foot patch of weathered asphalt? Because parking in Chicago is a valuable commodity.

Deeded garage spaces in downtown buildings sold in 2008 for $22,500 to $80,000 per space depending on the building — $45,000 to $55,000 is fairly common. At 1620 S. Michigan, seven motorcycle spaces are currently for sale for $4,900 a piece!

At those kinds of prices, who wouldn’t sacrifice the occasional folding chair for access to the cheaper alternative?

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