By Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Several residents who live along West Linden Avenue in the Hillsboro Village area of Nashville claim the parking situation along their street has gotten out of control. They blame near-by neighbor, Central Parking System, for the problem.
"It looks like a parking lot," said resident Mary Skinner.
She pointed to several dozen cars that lined West Linden Friday afternoon. She said the cars belong to employees who work at the Central Parking System headquarters building on 21st Avenue South.
"On a daily basis we have problems with our driveways being blocked," Skinner explained.
She said that has made getting into and getting out her driveway nearly impossible. Skinner explained the parking issue is more than just an inconvenience.
"We want to safely get in and out of our driveways without being hit by oncoming traffic," Skinner said.
Blocked driveways are not the only complaint residents who live in the area have about the parking situation.
"When we were gone someone from the office building moved our trash cans to park and they didn't pick up our trash," resident Susan Spry explained.
The affected neighbors have been in contact with managers at Central Parking about the issues they have with employees parking on the street.
"Basically they say these are city street and they have the right for their employees to park on city streets," Skinner claimed.
Central Parking System issued a statement to NewsChannel 5 late Friday night. A spokesman said the company has added 100 employees to its headquarters location on 21st Avenue South.
"At times this has put pressure on available parking. We have been working proactively with neighborhood representatives to minimize any issues, and we have instituted telecommuting to minimize any congestion," according to Christopher Kato, a vice president at Central Parking.
The statement went on to acknowledge the company's cooperation with area residents and promised further cooperation.
"We will continue to work with our neighbors to resolve any questions or issues they may have," Kato wrote.
Metro Public Works has been also been in contact with the affected residents.
"Our engineering division is working on some possible options to try and help resolve the issue," said Gwen Hopkins-Glascock with Metro Public Works.
She said installing restricted parking signs may be an option. But residents worry that will add dozens of signs to their sidewalks and do more harm than good.
"But the only way it can be enforced, they're saying, is to put up these sign, versus painting," said Mary Skinner.
Engineers have not made a decision on exactly what type of process they will use to control the parking situation on West Linden Avenue.
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