Zoo Neighbors ask for Zones in Parking Squeeze

"The ever-increasing number of visitors to the zoo has taken over neighborhood parking, creating a huge inconvenience and a dangerous traffic situation with so many vehicles on our narrow streets," said Lorraine Chalicki, who represents the neighbors. The area requested for this RPZ includes North 48th, 49th and 50th Streets between Aurora Avenue North on the east and Phinney Avenue North on the west.

"Because zoo visitors, employees, and volunteers monopolize parking, residents are forced to park blocks away from their homes, especially on busy weekends or in nice weather when the zoo attracts larger crowds. Simply getting groceries into the house becomes a major chore and more so for older and handicapped residents," Chalicki said.

Forty percent of zoo visitors park in the neighborhood instead of in zoo lots, acknowledged Jim Maxwell, the. zoo's project manager for a proposed zoo parking garage.

To contact the 50th Street Neighbors, call Lorraine Chalicki at (206) 547-3019 or e-mail lorraine@youneedme.com.

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