Description
There are two cement-based-temporary style signs currently placed in the road in front of the Lansing Board of Water and Light. They state something to the effect that the area is only for LBWL allowed vehicles.
It appears to be open and unmetered parking which is would indicate the area is accessible to anyone. The road is paved along Cedar and also appears to be paved in this cut-out which is also curbed.
My question is this. Is this cut-out deaded or legally restricted to LBWL access?
22 Comments
City of Lansing
This area is in the public right of way and our records do not indicate that it is currently restricted. We will contact BWL to determine their need for this area and adjust the parking regulations as appropriate.
Andy Kilpatrick
Transportation Engineer
City of Lansing
AndWeReWalking
Thank you Andy. I look forward to an update over the next couple of weeks. I appreciate your looking into this.
mark nixon (Guest)
This is the response from the BWL:
These signs have been placed in front of the Dye Water Plant turn in off of Cedar st.
We were having quite a few problems with downtown workers parking their vehicles there all day instead of paying for parking. One person would use it almost everyday.
We had given notices to vehicles that this was BWL parking only but to no avail.
Our security officer had signs erected.
Mark Nixon
Communications Director
Lansing Board of Water & Light
AndWeReWalking
Thanks Mark.
I may have seen one of those hand-written, unsigned, two line notices, around the end of September.
We probably both have seen the same vehicle(s). The ones I've been wondering about didn't have any noticable BWL markings and appeared to be non-commercial in nature. In the limited times I've actually seen a person drive in and park there the occupant did enter the nearby main BWL door.
I was curious if workers had been parking along Cedar St. not knowing if that was a publicly available section. It hasn't been marked at all until recently as you mentioned.
AndWeReWalking
11/05 added picture with two cement posted signs referred two and two cars at the time.
AndWeReWalking
11/09 I notice the same vehicle is parked there again today as I came to work this morning. I'll see if there's a notice on the vehicle later. I doubt the driver's paid any attention to the signs or notes BWL has placed and just walks into the building.
Maybe it is okay for any person to park there after all. It appears there's not been any enforcement to the stated claim.
Acknowledged City of Lansing
Thank you for the information on this issue. Both the City and BWL are aware of the problem and are working together to resolve it. I don't believe we need any further information to be able to resolve the issue.
Andy Kilpatrick
Transportation Engineer
AndWeReWalking
Progress?
AndWeReWalking
If you have a moment, could you share a comment of interest over the last two weeks? Thank you for keeping the interest.
AndWeReWalking
Mr. Kilpatrick. Any update for this in regards to your comments 3 weeks ago? Any comment from BWL?
Traditionally, has the city plowed snow from this cutout which the BWL is claiming along Cedar?
AndWeReWalking
Has anything happened on this recently?
Reopened Operations and Maintenance
Per the O&M Assistant Superintendent:
We do not plow this as a matter of our routine plowing efforts, but the trucks do hit it occasionally as they are pushing back curb lines. I believe this is public property (MDOT) and the LBWL utilizes it for parking their vehicles when conducting maintenance or entering the building from the old entrance off Cedar there.
AndWeReWalking
Is this still free parking? There's no authority BWL can claim this as a tow-away zone.
AndWeReWalking
I was encouraged to see last night that the cut out hasn't been plowed. This would confirm the City isn't plowing it. Further, it would indicate the BWL isn't getting free services here besides the free parking when space is available.
It's still unclear whether BWL has any legal standing for placing the two signs within public property staking claim as if it were their property.
AndWeReWalking
Let's see an update on this item. Thank you.
(In my singing tone) "And like a good neighbor State Farm is there."
Nothing.
(after realizing that didn't summon anyone) "And like a good neighbor BWL is there."
AndWeReWalking
Is there any update on this BWL parking cutout on Cedar between Michigan and Kalamazoo?
AndWeReWalking
More directly, should I renew my parking pass and start parking here, free in April? If MDOT public property then perhaps the tow-away signs don't belong there. They've been placed by LBWL per the sign.
Mark Nixon (Guest)
Hello. Could you telephone me? 702-6735. Thanks!
Mark Nixon
Communications Director
Lansing Board of Water & Light
mark nixon (Guest)
Hello, It was good talking to you today. I asked our executive director of Water Production about the cut-out where cars are parked. He said that the cut-out is, indeed, BWL property and that it was purchased some time ago from the City of Lansing. the cut-out is used for mail delivery, emergency vehicles, and tours, among other things. I hope this answers your question. -- Mark Nixon, Communications Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light
AndWeReWalking
Thank you. Yes, I appreciate speaking with you about this and you have addressed my interest.
I'd be fine if the Acknowledger were to close this issue.
Thanks again.
AndWeReWalking
The closer would be The City of Lansing as I understand SCF.
Closed City of Lansing
This is BWL property. Issue closed