HOUSTON RESIDENTS TO LEARN DO'S AND DONT'S OF PARKING THROUGH INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
City Officials Spread the Word To Help Ensure Convenient, Sufficient Parking

February 6, 2007 -- When it comes to street smarts, not everyone knows the name of the game - but many Houston residents will soon become more educated on the subject of Parking, thanks to a City initiative.

In an effort to get feedback from and explain to area residents the City's official guidelines for residential parking, the Parking Management division of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department plans to present an interactive discussion, “Parking Street Smarts,” to several neighborhood associations throughout Houston.

In addition to educating residents on parking legalities, including blocking sidewalks, tow-away zones and what qualifies vehicles as “boot-eligible,” Parking Management officials plan to field concerns from residents regarding issues faced by each individual community.

“We're a customer service-driven organization, and our number-one priority is to improve the safety, traffic management and awareness of Parking within our city,” said Liliana Rambo, who heads the Parking Management division. “This type of program directly addresses concerns from area residents that apply to their specific neighborhood. By educating residents, we hope to work toward the Mayor's initiative to keep traffic on our streets running smoothly.”

To resolve local issues and work toward improving the quality of life for residents, parking enforcement officers will observe a “soft period,” issuing warnings to vehicles found in violation of parking ordinances for the two-week period following each neighborhood meeting. After the soft period, all vehicles found in violation of City ordinance will be issued a citation.

Parking Management is a division of the City of Houston General Services Department. By servicing and maintaining almost 6,000 on-street parking spaces and numerous garages across the Greater Houston area, Parking Management creates sound regulations for all commercial and residential areas enhancing pedestrian safety, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and allowing emergency vehicles to reach their destinations. Parking Management also encourages parking awareness while supporting public transit initiatives.

For more information about Parking Management, please call 713.837.0311 or visit www.houstonparking.org.