JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Parking problems in the Riverside and Avondale area are coming to a head after the city of Jacksonville started issuing tickets to people illegally parked throughout the area.
Channel 4 was told the biggest parking problem is in the area of College and Park streets, where many bars and restaurants in the Riverside and Avondale area are located.
The city told Channel 4 that tickets started being issued after the parking commission did a study on the situation.
Folks who live in and around the area were out in full force Friday night. Many told Channel 4 the parking problems take the fun out of going out in Riverside and Avondale.
"Happy hour after 5 (p.m.), you either have to park far away or in someone's driveway," said Sabrina Trinidad. "It's kind of annoying."
As spots fill up on a busy Friday night, drivers are even forced to park in surrounding neighborhoods, and that's something residents say has to stop. Some residents told Channel 4 that people will even park and block neighbors' driveways.
"I have had a couple of people parking behind our cars here in our driveway," said Jeremy Munn. "They've parked alongside the edge of our yard here, which has proven to be difficult in either direction, unless you pulled into the driveway backwards," said Munn.
Channel 4 reached out to the city Friday to get more details about the 32 tickets that were issued in the Riverside and Avondale area last weekend. Channel 4 asked how much of a fine was attached to the tickets and what days they were issued.
No one was willing to go on camera Friday night but did provide Channel 4 with a statement:
"While we don't discuss details about enforcement actions, we will continue making efforts to enforce those laws. We want to remind drivers to obey any and all markings in the roadway, do not park in front of driveways or fire hydrants, and park 30 feet away from any intersection."
RELATED: Parking violators to be ticketed
While the residents in the area Channel 4 said they think issuing tickets is a start, they'd like to see bigger changes made.
"I guess there should just be more parking out here," said Trinidad.
"I think some sort of parking garage structure should be built," said Munn.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is working with the Riverside Avondale Preservation to bring a trolley to Riverside and Avondale on Friday nights and weekends, which could be something that would help alleviate parking issues in the area.
Right now, the trolley is in the testing phase. Starting Jan. 3 and 4 the trolley will run on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the first weekend of every month. The trial period runs from January through June.
A single ride on the Riverside/Avondale trolley will cost $1.50 or $4.00 for a day pass. If the trial period for the trolley is a success, it may become a permanent attraction on nights and weekends in Riverside and Avondale.