LINCOLN PARK — Wrigleyville may be ground zero for celebrating the Cubs, but neighborhoods to the south are feeling the fallout as well on parking bans.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications has expanded parking restrictions not just in the area immediately surrounding Wrigley Field, but also to areas that figure to be focal points for fans emerging from sports bars and taverns to celebrate — or not.
If the Cubs win, they'll be "dancing in the streets," as Harry Caray used to say, although he never did get to say they'd be dancing in the streets of Chicago.
So parking restrictions will also be in effect from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Webster Avenue between Sheffield Avenue and Bissell Street, on Lincoln Avenue from Webster to Fullerton Avenue and on Wells Street from North Avenue to Division Street. Those stretches feature concentrations of bars and other places fans might be watching the seventh and final game of the World Series between the Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.
"Our understanding is that they're game-day restrictions," said Adam Gypalo, chief of staff for Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith (43rd). He drew parallels with what occurred during previous championship celebrations this decade involving the Blackhawks and their three Stanley Cups.
"This allows the police to allow the revelers to safely enjoy the night," he added. "We may as well be safe rather than sorry."
On that note, the same 5 p.m.-6 a.m. restrictions will be in place Downtown on Division between State and Dearborn streets, on Hubbard Street from State to LaSalle Street and on Kinzie Avenue from State to Clark Street.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
