Evansville board approves no-parking zone near Memorial High School after resident pleas

The City of Evansville Board of Public Safety on Oct. 9 approved traffic-engineering changes to Benninghoff Avenue aimed at reducing hazardous parking near Memorial High School.

Jennifer, a traffic engineer with the city engineering unit, told the board the department recommends installing three no-parking signs on the west side of Benninghoff Avenue from Walnut Street to 419 Benninghoff and painting curbs yellow 55 feet from the Walnut intersection. She said the changes respond to complaints received by the Evansville Police Department and to safety concerns given the street’s proximity to Memorial High School.

Jennifer Rivera, a resident of 417 South Benninghoff, spoke at the meeting in support of the changes. "For the safety of the Memorial students and the community members that visit, it becomes a very large issue when the road is only 30 feet wide to get cars parked on both sides during the high traffic times," she said, adding that the neighborhood had sought this change for four years and that better curb markings would reduce confusion for visitors.

A board member moved to approve the traffic-engineering request; the motion was seconded and approved with vocal “Aye” responses from the board. The motion authorized the city to replace two existing school-day no-parking signs with all-times no-parking/stopping/standing restrictions and to implement curb painting as budget allows.

City staff said the engineering exhibit included in the agenda packet shows the proposed sign locations. The change is intended to reduce the need for police to handle recurring parking issues near the school and to improve traffic flow during after-school and weekend events. The city did not specify an exact date for sign installation at the meeting.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote.