Plan would ease resident parking woes near Little Caesars Arena, commercial zones

Parking can be a nighmare in Detroit's commercial areas. (Photo: Violet Ikonomova)

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink. It’s an apt idiom for residents living in the shadow of the Little Caesars Arena, where available street parking is often snatched up by event-goers looking to avoid the $45 cost to park in the many Ilitch-owned lots nearby. Residents of Lafayette Park, near Ford Field, feel a similar squeeze when the Lions play, as do Midtown residents during Wayne State University’s academic year.

But some relief may be on the way for Detroiters who live near commercial areas. Soon, they’ll have the option to create residential parking zones on their blocks, meaning visitors will be ticketed if they park without a pass.

Under an ordinance passed this week, residents can establish zones on a per-block basis if at least 60 percent of all households sign a petition. The zone becomes active once 50 percent of residents would have to obtain permits. The zones allow each household three resident parking permits and 30 one-time use visitor permits.

The program will be rolled out over the next year, but residents can begin gathering signatures for a zone in a couple of months. Paperwork will be available at the city clerk’s office.

Detroit City Council members Raquel Castaneda-Lopez and Mary Sheffield proposed the new rules.