As reported earlier on Albany2cents, Albany’s long-awaited parking permit system is finally scheduled to go into action this October.

I know that a lot of people are excited for this, with the hopes that it will make living and parking easier for residents of the Center Square neighborhood.

This recent opinion piece in the Saratogian raises some good points. The parking permit system is paying to park at your own house! I know it’s simple but when you word it like that, it sounds unfair and a bit crazy. Off-street parking is a rarity and a blessing for those who have it, but for people who want to park in Albany, if a space is there, people are going to pick the free spot over the paid meter spot. Which makes sense why there is a need for a parking permit system in Albany, especially when you factor in the State workers. The big question is, why do residents have to pay for it?

The landlords and property owners are taxed by the city already, and paying for a parking permit adds to what they are paying the city. I have to agree with John Gray, this system (which will be mandatory and enforced) feels a bit like a money grab for the city.

The details are still being worked out but the Albany Common Council plans to issue 2,750 parking permits. At $25 per permit for the year, that’s an extra $68,750 per year. Which is a lot of money to hang out a sticker for a car window.

I like how Gray suggested that that money be cut in half, at $12.50 per sticker and therefore use the collected $34,375 to create a new position for someone to hand out the parking permit stickers each year. I surely wouldn’t mind being in charge of handing out stickers for almost a $35k/year salary!

I think that the parking permit system should be free for residents. I don’t see where that money is going. And there’s likely to be a handful of parking tickets given out (maybe more so than normal) for people who are simply confused or unaware of the permit system.

What do you think? As a resident, would you mind paying $25 a year and proving that you live in Albany to be able to park for free? Do you think it will result in easier parking or do you think it’s going to be organized chaos?