LAKEVIEW — If you're thinking of parking near Wrigley Field this weekend, pay close attention.
A series of "extreme" parking restrictions around Wrigley Field — ordered by local and federal law enforcement — will start at noon Friday and last until 4 a.m. Monday while the Chicago Cubs take on the Cleveland Indians in the World Series, 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney said.
If you live within four blocks of the ballpark — which will host its first World Series game in 71 years Friday night — you must move your car by noon Friday and find somewhere to keep it until Monday, Tunney said Thursday.
On Thursday, just as pervasive as the blue-and-white "W" flags hanging from Wrigleyville homes were the white pieces of paper hanging from trees and light poles that read "no parking."
Tunney said city workers would start going door to door to warn residents about the restrictions — imposed just 24 hours in advance — that would for the first time affect residents' ability to park near their houses and apartments.
"There is no doubt these restrictions are extreme," Tunney said. "Check the signs, or you will be towed."
If your car is towed, it will be taken to the auto pound at 701 N. Sacramento Ave. It will cost you $150 — plus a $20 storage fee per day up to five days in cash or by credit card — to get your car back, officials said.
Towed vehicles are listed on the city's website.
Residents may be asked to prove that they live near the ballpark and should carry photo IDs and proof of residency during Cubs games throughout the postseason.
Here is the list of streets where parking is restricted from noon Friday to 4 a.m. Monday:
• Clark Street from School Street to Irving Park Road
• Sheffield Avenue from Roscoe Street to Irving Park Road
• Addison Street from Halsted Street to Southport Avenue
• Addison Street from Southport Avenue to Ashland Avenue — north side only
• Racine Avenue from Roscoe Street to Clark Street
• Patterson Avenue, Waveland Avenue, Eddy Street, Cornelia Avenue and Newport Avenue from Racine Avenue to Clark Street
• Grace Street and Waveland Avenue from Clark Street to Wilton Avenue
• Inner Lake Shore Drive from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street — east side only
From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday:
• Waveland Avenue — Fremont to Halsted streets.
HERE ARE THE STREETS AFFECTED BY THE PARKING BAN:
In an area where street parking is already at a premium most days, the new parking restrictions hit some neighborhood residents hard.
Amrita Schaffer was waiting at the curb with her mother-in-law and 3-day-old baby outside their West Eddy Avenue home Thursday afternoon. They were waiting for Schaffer's husband to pull around with their car.
They had just seen the sign outside their home that banned parking on their block.
"I don't like it one bit," Amrita said. "With a 3-day-old baby? Oh my gosh."
The parking restriction might not have been a problem for the young family if they had not just had a baby. They have a garage space, but family is visiting for the weekend to see the baby, Amrita said.
"It's a major inconvenience," said Cynthia Schaffer, the baby's grandmother. "It's funny, because this is a quiet block, despite [Wrigley Field] being two blocks away."
Still, they were not feeling sorry for themselves.
"It'll be a great story for her," Cynthia said.
Fern Chlumsky lives in the Southport Corridor and has to find parking for her car on the street. With some street closures extending to Southport Avenue. Chlumsky said she will definitely be affected.
"I live in the thunderdome," she said with a laugh. "That's gonna suck. I get it, no bombs and everything."
She said the temporary chaos experienced by neighbors will probably be remembered fondly years from now.
"I'm expecting a combination of the coolest and worst thing ever," she said. "It's a small price to pay for something people have been waiting their whole lives for."
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
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