Illegal Parking Now “Legal” for Marty Markowitz

12:25 PM EST on January 16, 2008

Yesterday we wondered if the city might be convinced to reconcile its vision of a sustainable city with its anti-urban parking policies. We'll mark this one in the "no" column.

Late last week Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was busted by Uncivil Servants for parking on the sidewalk in front of Borough Hall during a meeting in which DOT unveiled its long awaited Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Blueprint -- check out Priority Initiative #9 below (or download the entire list)...

Regardless of DOT priorities, it turns out that parking on sidewalks is only illegal for drivers who aren't the Borough President or members of his staff, as the Daily News reports:

The Parks Department has struck a deal with Markowitz, allowing him and his staffers to park on the plaza along the east side of Borough Hall and even on the sidewalk on Joralemon St. next to a busy newsstand, Markowitz's office said Tuesday.
Markowitz's office argued it is perfectly legal for him to park on the busy sidewalk.
"We have an agreement with the Parks Department that is authorized by signage along that side of the building that allows permitted vehicles to use that space," said Markowitz spokesman Mark Zustovich.
The Parks Department said they could not comment on the exact location of Markowitz's car the night of the hearing, but confirmed they had recently granted Markowitz the right to park on the flagstone walkway to the east of the building - but not on the plaza behind Borough Hall where Markowitz's staffers used to park.

Markowitz last year tried to block a prohibition on cars in Prospect Park, until DOT did it anyway.

As Markowitz is flirting with a mayoral candidacy, livable streets advocates are getting a preview of how their agenda would fare under Mayor Marty. All together now: Fuhgeddaboudit!

Side note: Here's a reason to hope for a Hillary Clinton presidency -- Marty Markowitz, Ambassador to Trinidad.

Photos: Uncivil Servants

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

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