October 12, 2001 – Traffic flow into and out of the parking lot by the Emile Griffith Ball Park will be affected as work begins on converting the space to a paid-parking facility. Starting Thursday, all traffic must enter and exit across from Island Block; no through traffic can come in from the Labor Department direction.
Housing, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson said paid parking is being instituted to generate revenues to repair and improve V.I. park facilities. "We have long enjoyed the privilege of free access to our parks," he said, but to continue this and make such improvements as bathroom facilities, it is necessary to raise funds." Work to be done, he said, includes repaving and lighting, with part of the initial funding coming from the U.S. Interior Department.
Hobson plans to use the management in place at the Fort Christian lot, with similar access controls and fees. Paid parking will be in effect until 5 p.m., he said, with no charge for evening parking for ball games.
There will be limited lot access over the next several weeks, according to a Government House release.
Hobson said the lot will be shut down for paving, which is scheduled to start Oct. 22. "Motorists are encouraged to plan for this loss of parking space while the department upgrades the parking lot and prepares it for reopening as a paid-parking facility," he said.
