Thurs., Feb. 12 – Wed., Feb. 18
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING IS SUSPENDED Thursday, MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY
Happy Valentine’s Day! Despite the unrelenting cold weather, expect an uptick in Saturday night travel as couples hit Lower Manhattan for romantic outings.
Monday is a Summons Alert Day. Although Presidents’ Day is a recognized national holiday, only alternate side parking rules are suspended. Many people don’t know this and are surprised to find tickets for meter violations and No Parking rules. The best way to avoid an unwanted summons and find out what’s in effect when is to follow me on Twitter @GridlockSam, and check my newly launched website gridlocksam.com, where you can also find daily information about alternate side parking.
Put on your finest, and brace yourself for stylish slowdowns, Lower Manhattanites — Fashion Week kicks off Thurs., Feb. 12! While most of the big runway shows are located at Lincoln Center, many of smaller events and the parties will be Downtown.
Several events will be held at Spring Studios on Varick St. between Laight and Beach Sts. (right at the exit of the Holland Tunnel). Expect slowdowns late in the afternoon Saturday and Sunday, around noon Monday, and during the a.m. commute Wednesday.
Taxis carrying models, designers and photographers will take to the streets daily through Wednesday. On Friday, shows run 4 p.m. at Bowery between 2nd and 3rd Sts. All day Sunday, shows will run at Wall St. between William and Broad Sts. and at Washington St. between 13th and 12th Sts.
Soho will be busy Monday with shows on Greene St. between Broome and Grand Sts. The New Museum (on Bowery at Stanton) hosts a show 7 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, shows run all day at Broadway and Prince, Spring St. between Varick and Hudson Sts.
A studio on 14th St. between Eight and Ninth Aves. hosts a show 11 a.m., and a studio on 15th St. between Ninth and Tenth Aves. hosts a show 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Public schools are on mid-winter break beginning Monday (2/16) and running through Friday (2/20). That means traffic will be a bit easier for morning commuters.
On West St./Route 9A, one southbound lane from Vesey St. to West Thames St. will be closed 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Thursday and Friday.
Email your traffic, transit and parking questions to TransitSam@downtownexpress.com.
