Lack of spaces a refrain that spans office workers, shoppers, visitors and even construction crews.
By: Jennifer Potash
A lot of people are unhappy about the difficulty of finding a downtown parking space because of all the construction and among the more vocal are the construction workers themselves.
Specifically, ironworkers on the site say they are being unfairly targeted by the borough, which is barring them from parking at the 10-hour meters on Paul Robeson Place.
"It’s ridiculous," said Danny O’Neill, the ironworkers’ steward. "We’re here risking our lives to build your town."
In mid-August, the borough began placing emergency no-parking signs at the meters on Paul Robeson Place before the construction workers arrived in the morning. Later in the morning, after work begins at the site, the signs are removed. The library’s contract with Turner Construction states that contractors and subcontractors must not park in downtown metered spaces but must make alternative parking arrangements.
"This language is in the contract the contractor signed," said Eric Greenfeldt, assistant library director in charge of the day-to-day construction issues for the library.
But for several months, pickup trucks with the telltale tool boxes began filling in the Paul Robeson Place meters every morning.
About a week ago, a shuttle system was put in operation. Workers park near the Princeton University athletic fields off Washington Road, and then are brought to the downtown by the shuttle vehicle. The shuttle is available during the workday, usually 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., so the construction workers can get back to their vehicles in an emergency.
After complaints from residents and downtown business owners flowed into Borough Hall, Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi said police would put up emergency no-parking signs along the meters before the construction workers arrived at the library site.
The ironworkers seethed at this latest perceived injustice barring them from parking on a public street.
"It’s discrimination," Mr. O’Neill said. "We’re not in the 1930s here."
Borough Attorney Michael Herbert said the borough is within its rights to declare the parking places off-limits.
"For a limited period of time, the police department, in concert with the business administrator, can bag meters to protect the public health, safety and free flow of traffic," Mr. Herbert said.
Paul Robeson Place is part of the route to the University Medical Center at Princeton and the borough has an interest in keeping the road free from traffic during rush hour, Mr. Herbert said. Parking is allowed at the meters beginning at 8 a.m.
Several of the ironworkers face long commutes to their homes and do not relish spending an additional 20 minutes on the shuttle.
John Dalmas, who lives in Sussex County, said his commute is about two hours each way.
"I don’t want to spend more time in a van," he said.
The workers are paying the full meter fare about $4.75, Mr. Dalmas said. Parking in the Palmer Square garage, about $14 for the same time period, isn’t realistic, he said.
A compromise would be for the borough to make arrangements with Palmer Square to use the vacant site off Paul Robeson Place, behind the Hulfish Street garage, Mr. Dalmas said.
The ironworkers will likely be on site for about another month, said Mr. O’Neill, the ironworkers’ steward, adding that he would like the borough to stop blocking the meters.
"Just leave us alone," he said.
Mr. O’Neill said the borough’s action to block the meters is a slap in the face to the construction workers who are contributing to the local economy by patronizing downtown eateries. (See story on Page 5A.)
A possible explanation for the dispute may be a communication gap.
Mr. O’Neill said he was not told about the shuttle, which started Aug. 18. But other workers at the site said they were aware of the service.
Mr. Greenfeldt said Turner Construction, the general contractor, made shuttle arrangements for its employees and told the subcontractors of their obligation to do the same.
Another problem is some workers who come onto the site on a short-term basis may not know about the parking plan, Mr. Greenfeldt said.
Mr. O’Neill said he and many of the ironworkers had been at the library site since the steelwork began in late March.
For the most part, the other construction workers, the electricians and plumbers are using the shuttle system, Mr. Greenfeldt said.
"We’re going to continue working with Turner and the subcontractors to take as much pressure as possible off the parking downtown," he said. "Not everybody is going to be happy but we’ll do the best we can."
Mr. O’Neill said he has no plans to take the shuttle.
"They are not going to tell me where to park," Mr. O’Neill said. "I’m 56 years old and I have been doing this for 30 years."