Neighbors, business people, city reps, Uptown Partnership and the Hillcrest Business Association joined Council member Todd Gloria as he cut a ribbon signifying the official opening of the Normal Street Median project.
After many years in being planned the project became a reality on Tuesday and will now provide the neighborhood with a net gain of 14 parking spaces along the east side of the Normal Street median north of University Avenue. Retail, services, dining and entertainment businesses in east Hillcrest will enjoy theadditional spaces. The Hillcrest Farmers Market also utilizes this area as it brings hundreds of shoppers into the area every Sunday. The additional parking will be appreciated by “people who live, work and play in our neighborhood,” said Nancy Moors, president of the Hillcrest Business Association. Spaces are $1.25 per hour of parking. Tickets are available from a single machine at the south end of the landscaped median. At the project’s groundbreaking (September 30, 2009) the work was anticipated to take 50 days.
Many at this morning’s dedication were hopeful that these parking spaces (which encompass only one block) will be expanded on the two blocks to the north.