Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

The Fort Greene Association has scored another victory in the fight against abuse of placarded parking, this time with some help from very high places.

According to Fredrik Anderson, the FGA's vice chair and head of its transportation committee, neighborhood merchants and residents had been frustrated that state employees who work at 55 Hanson Place were hogging metered parking spaces at Lafayette and Fulton streets. (The meters themselves, designed to encourage parking turnover, were the result of lobbying by Councilmember Letitia James, the FGA and the Fulton Area Business Association.)

The FGA waited until Gov. Pataki -- whom they presumed would be unsympathetic to their complaints -- was out of office. Then, as soon as Gov. Eliot Spitzer was on the job, they wrote a letter to the governor's office requesting action.

"Within a week or so, the placarded cars were gone," said Anderson. Not only that, the FGA got a friendly call from a representative of the state's Department of Taxation and Finance, which has offices at 55 Hanson, explaining that commuting employees had been asked to leave their cars at home. "The meters are now available for shoppers," said Anderson.

The FGA's April newsletter contained this reaction to the disappearance of placarded cars:  "We are still pinching ourselves in amazement."

Add this positive development to a police-driven crackdown on placards in Chinatown, reported by Streetsblog a couple of weeks ago.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Progressives Are Backing These Four Priorities for the Next Big Transportation Bill

Progressives are refusing (at least at this point) to water down their ambitions in the face of a deeply divided Washington.

August 13, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines on a Hot Tin Roof

We're talking about streetcars, but are really tired of "desire" puns.

August 13, 2025

Vital ‘Lifeline’ or Blatant Ripoff? Instacart Makes NYC Groceries 75% More Expensive

Instacart is arguing that its services are a lifeline to low income New Yorkers, but the app makes groceries 75 percent more expensive.

August 12, 2025

Is U.S. Passenger Rail Having a Big Moment?

We brought in an expert to unpack some of the biggest rail headlines of the day — and a few you might have missed.

August 12, 2025

Tuesday’s Orwellian Headlines

We've always been at war with Oceania, if you believe the Department of Energy.

August 12, 2025

Katie Wilson’s Success in Seattle Shows Again that Urbanism Is A Winning Campaign Issue

The transit advocate's strong early performance in Seattle's mayoral primary is rekindling a national conversation about the power of bold transportation reform to win at the ballot box.

August 11, 2025
See all posts