UWS Fears Congestion Pricing Could Turn Area Into Parking Lot

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – Congestion pricing is about to turn Manhattan north of 60th Street into a massive parking lot as drivers look to ditch their vehicle before they hit the toll, residents worry.

The desire to park before crossing into the charging zone will also vastly increase crowds in subway stations and demand for CitiBikes and cabs, it's feared.

The plan, approved by the State Legislature in its budget this past weekend and expected to go into effect Dec. 31 2020, would likely vastly reduce traffic in Manhattan below 60th Street and it's expected to bring in an estimated $15 billion for MTA subway and bus improvements by charging drivers venturing south as much as $11.

"I hate it, that's it," said Rose Katsmin, a resident of West 62nd, mincing no words.

She's not alone. According to a Quinnipiac University Poll released on Tuesday, a solid 54% of New Yorkers are against the toll.

The potential overcrowding from the congestion toll has worried area residents for months, leading some elected leaders to suggest ways that parking for local residents could be protected. For instance, District 6 Council Member Helen Rosenthal and District 7 Council Member Mark Levine introduced legislation looking to create a permit system that would allow only area residents to park in the neighborhood, as other municipals around the nation have done.

The official summary of the legislation reads:

"The bill would require the department of transportation to create a residential parking permit system for the area of Northern Manhattan, including all areas north of 60th Street through Inwood, as bounded by the intersection of Spuyten Duyvill Creek and Harlem River.

"As we prepare for the implementation of congestion pricing, we must ensure that neighborhoods surrounding Manhattan's central business district do not become parking lots for drivers seeking to avoid a toll," said Rosenthal. "Residential permit parking will help us do that, and is a long overdue step toward a more sensible street policy for New York City."

The stretch of blocks between 60th and 65th on the West Side is home to an assortment of highly populated venues. Lincoln Center, Fordham University, The New York Institute of Technology, a YMCA and a plethora of high schools and lower schools all exist within the small quadrant.

A Fordham University student, who gave his name only as Song, explained his frustration at the already busy area becoming even more populated.

"There's an outdoor plaza at Lincoln Center that holds events which attract a lot of cars already. The idea of adding even more cars because of a congestion tax isn't a good one," he said.

Not everyone is buying into the doomsday scenario, however.

"I don't know if that is going to happen," said Caleb Gutwillig of West 63rd Street, talking about the increased amount of parked cars.

"It's not like all of a sudden there's going to be more destinations between 61st and 65th. Cars aren't just going to idle there because of the toll, you either have to go past 60th street or you don't."