GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Odd-Even parking rules may be frustrating for people who park their vehicles on the street. However, for snow plow drivers, Odd-Even parking means a great deal.
Since Jan. 8, Grand Rapids has issued more than 635 Odd-Even parking violation citations. That is according to a City spokesperson.
Grand Rapids parking restrictions are in effect until April 1. This means drivers park on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days. Same thing for odd-numbered days. The goal is to allow road crews to clear the streets of leaves, debris and snow throughout fall and winter.
Ignoring Odd-Even parking can result in a citation and an unplowed street.
"It gets frustrating," said Freddie Gladyness, a Grand Rapids snow plow driver of 23 years. "The public has to move their cars."
Gladyness said if drivers are parked on both sides of the street, it can either mean he skips that street or could put his plow in a position to accidentally hit someone's vehicle. If he skips a street on his route, he will check back later to see if the vehicles have been moved.
"If you got a big wing blade on the front, it’s hard to get through and you got to back up," said Gladyness. "We don’t like to back up. Backing up is, like... you could run into another car on the other side. You want to keep forward. It won’t take that much to tear a car up."
If you're violating these restrictions, you could face a $20 ticket.
To report an odd/even parking complaint:
- Use the “grcity 311” app on either IOS or Android app stores
- Use the “Report an Issue” webpage at grandrapidsmi.gov/services/report-a-parking-complaint
- Call 311 or 616.456.3000 at any time
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