Snow Events May Cause Issues for Parking Platforms in Rochester

Is the City Ready for Snow with the New Parking Platforms

Rochester Media took a look at the two new downtown parking platforms in Rochester after the snowfall earlier this week. There are questions about how winter weather ready the roof parking is. A few inches of snow didn’t affect the East Platform from being open. However, the West Platform’s roof parking was closed after the snow event. The Community Edge inquired with the city about the how snow plows and de-icing will be used when different snow events occur.

Barricades and No Parking During Snow Event Signs stop vehicles from entering the roof parking of the West Parking Platform - photo by Michael Dwyer

Barricades and No Parking During Snow Event Signs stop vehicles from entering the roof parking of the West Parking Platform – photo by Michael Dwyer

Blaine Wing, Rochester City Manager, said “The City’s largest snowplow trucks are too large/heavy to enter the platforms.  However, the City has various sizes of snowplow equipment. The City’s smaller and lighter equipment has worked and will continue to within the platforms and other areas throughout town. The standard salt that is used on the road throughout the City won’t necessarily be as effective within parking platforms. With the different environmental conditions and composition of the materials used in the platforms, a more appropriate de-icing material is being used that is safer for concrete. Again, the City has various sizes of snowplow equipment. Depending on the amount of snow, different methods and equipment will be used. If there is a quick and heavy snowfall, the City has a few options to address that type of snowfall.”

Issue or No Issue?

The West Parking Platform after a Snow Event shows Piles of Snow and is Closed for Parking Cars - photo by Michael Dwyer

The West Parking Platform after a Snow Event shows Piles of Snow and is Closed for Parking Cars – photo by Michael Dwyer

Both the Rochester Police Department and the Department of Public Works will be watching the various weather conditions, from freezing rain to snow, and will make modifications to the removal process.

In regards to whether there were any issues for the platforms and snow, City Councilmember, Ben Giovanelli, said “We did buy some equipment that was specific to the decks for this purpose so I’d view this with a chunk of rock salt.” The councilmember suggested that some of these issues could be coming from “a handful of folks that are angry about us even doing these decks in the first place.”

There is a Parking Advisory Meeting scheduled for Friday, January 15, at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall. Giovanelli said if the snow so far this winter has created an issue for the new parking decks, they “will deal it.”

The East Parking Platform is Open for Parking after Snow Event - photo by Michael Dwyer

The East Parking Platform is Open for Parking after Snow Event – photo by Michael Dwyer

Rochester Media followed-up on these concerns with questions to the appropriate representatives and took photos following a normal snow event. Seems as though the platforms will get the attention they need just as the rest the lots and streets do after a snowfall. Please comment on your experiences with parking in Downtown Rochester this winter.

About Michael Dwyer

Michael Dwyer is a freelance content provider. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at michael@rochestermedia.com.

Comments

  1. Kay Johnson says

    I was surprised to find that if you add time to a street parking meter you should wait until your time has expired because it doesn’t add time to what you had left over – you lose that time and start from scratch. When I parked in the structure – I parked for 2 hours and 13 minutes and I was charged $1.00 for the 13 minutes. So it will pay to keep track of your time when you park.

    • Thanks for the tip Kay, did you pay with cash (coin) or credit at the meter? We understand that you get 15 minutes per quarter when you pay with cash, but you can only purchase hour increments with credit.

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