St. Paul to restrict parking on more residential streets close to Allianz Field
If you're one of the Minnesota United fans who parks for free on residential streets near Allianz Field, things are about to change.
St. Paul on Wednesday approved making three streets within a quarter-mile of Allianz Field residential permit parking only.
The affected streets are Concordia, Carroll and Iglehart avenues between Asbury and Pascal Streets, just across I-94 from the Minnesota United stadium.
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It follows complaints from residents in the neighborhood and the Union Park District Council about the lack of parking and increased traffic during Minnesota United game days.
"I have witnessed increased and dangerous car traffic resulting from the opening of Allianz Field," local resident Daniel Jambor wrote to the city. "People literally race down the street, make hasty u-turns, all in an effort to grab one of the few spaces available.
"I witnessed a neighbor walking her dog almost struck by a car and I am amazed there has not already been an accident."
Rosie Voigt, a resident of Carroll Avenue, wrote: "It is truly a zoo in our area before, during and after a game. Traffic/speeding/trash/illegal parking/noise."
Other residents complained about the lack of parking during the Saturday afternoons and evenings of United games.
That said, one resident pointed out that some people living in the area have been making money by renting out their spaces to fans, and argued this was a reason not to implement residential permit parking.
But St. Paul City Council agreed with the residents and approved the permit parking, with council member Mitra Jalali Nelson the only vote against.
She had argued it was premature to expand permit parking in Allianz Field's first full year, arguing that the response to the problem was too "overreaching."
Even council president Amy Brendmoen described it as a "fairly heavy solution for a game-day problem," albeit she voted in favor.
Since opening Allianz Field, both Minnesota United and the City of St. Paul has been encouraging transit use to cut down on traffic problems in and around the stadium.
