Residents near the new Marlins Park complained Thursday evening that a "newly unveiled parking plan for the neighborhood will make their lives miserable," according to Beasley & Sanchez of the MIAMI HERALD. The plan "sets aside a few blocks near the ballpark where area residents can park." But the plan also "bans residential parking on many more stretches -- to accommodate baseball fans." People who "live on those banned blocks will have to find somewhere else to park on the 81 times a year -- mostly night games -- when the Marlins play at home." Thursday’s town hall-style meeting was "intended to soothe neighborhood concerns, although it may have done the opposite." Beasley & Sanchez note with "less than three weeks before the new stadium’s first regular season game, parking -- or the lack of it -- remains the biggest headache facing the neighborhood and the Marlins." The team also began "widely selling single-game parking passes to Marlins Park’s garages and surrounding lots -- after saying for months they would be reserved for season-ticket holders, players, staff and members of the media." Marlins Dir of Business Communications Carolina Perrina de Diego said, "There were some spots left over, and we’ve opened them up to everyone" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/16).
