Pay and display boxes are scheduled to be installed at 63rd Street Beach at Lakeshore Drive by July 1, which could cost as much as $1 an hour.
Pay and display boxes are scheduled to be installed at 63rd Street Beach at Lakeshore Drive by July 1, which could cost as much as $1 an hour. But Alderwoman Leslie Hairston, whose ward includes the beach, said she negotiated a deal with the Chicago Park District to reserve 100 free parking spaces to ensure that families will be able to enjoy the summer festivities at the beach. “The parks have always been a place where people can enjoy themselves at minimal cost,” said Hairston. “At 63rd Street Beach, you have beautiful landscaping, the renovated historic beach house, pavilion and sprinkler fountains for children. There aren’t many places left where individuals, families and friends can afford such amenities in a lakefront setting.” Hairston plans to pay for the free spaces until Sept. 7 from her aldermanic fund. In December, the city entered into a 75-year deal with Chicago Parking Meters LLC to lease all of Chicago’s 35,000 meters for $1.3 billion. Hairston was one of five aldermen who voted against the deal, in part because she said the city rushed aldermen to quickly review the deal and vote on it. The free beach parking spaces will be marked for motorists to identify and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. ______ Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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