‘No Parking’ at Plaza

‘No Parking’ at Plaza
By CASEY JUNKINS

WHEELING — Tim Birch uses a GooseBuster to chase Canada geese away from Heritage Port — now, he wants to use additional “No Parking” signs to chase vehicles away from Market Street Plaza.

“We have a city ordinance that forbids cars from parking in the plaza, but some of the “No Parking” signs were torn down when AEP (American Electric Power) installed some new light poles about six months ago. We need to get signs back up there to make sure people know they cannot park there,” he said.

About 4 p.m. Tuesday, a total of nine vehicles were seen parked in the plaza that has been designated as a municipal park in which parking has been prohibited since 1964. Additional vehicles were parked in the plaza Wednesday.

The plaza is situated between 10th and 11th streets along the west side of Market Street. Short Market Street — which includes the area of the plaza — also runs between 10th and 11th streets west of Market Street.

The plaza is home to several businesses and available office space, including the Stone Center.

An ordinance adopted by City Council on May 26, 1964, reads, “Parking is hereby prohibited upon the easterly and westerly sides of Short Market Street between 10 Street and 11 Street. Existing parking meters shall be removed from Short Market Street.”

Birch, city operations supervisor, said he meant to have the signs replaced earlier, but has been quite busy lately. “We’re going to install the new ‘No Parking’ signs in the plaza just as soon as we can,” he said.

Though Birch said there are not enough “No Parking” signs in the plaza, there are several clearly visible signs throughout the park.

Public Works Director Russell Jebbia said he was unaware of the situation in the plaza.

“I have not received any complaints about cars parking in the plaza or about the signs, but I will be looking into this,” he said.

Birch said he was not sure if the police department would enforce the “No Parking” ordinance without enough parking signs, but Lt. Tom Mitchell said the department is looking into the problem.

“We are going to check this out because if people are parking up there, we are going to stop it. If we find cars parked up there, those cars are going to get tickets,” he said.

Mitchell said if issuing tickets to the owners of the automobiles does not do the trick, the department will be more than glad to tow vehicles off the plaza.

“We are on top of this situation,” he said.