Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith posted a video on Twitter saying that it’s important to continue enforcing parking laws in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.
The video came after other social media posts complaining that UAB health care workers were receiving parking tickets because the UAB employee parking decks were closed.
Smith said the decks remain open. UAB Health System released a statement saying it is making new parking options available for employees. The statement is at the end of this article.
The chief said it’s important to maintain limits to on-street parking and observance of no-parking zones to maintain access for emergency vehicles, wheelchair access, loading zones, and other needs.
Smith said UAB employees who need parking access can call the UAB transportation office between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The number is 205-934-3513.
UAB also says on Twitter that the parking decks remain open.
The UAB Health System released a statement to employees:
The City of Birmingham has received criticism from hospital employees for ticketing cars parked illegally outside of UAB Hospital in recent days. Even during this unusual time, ... it remains important – for many reasons – for the city to continue to enforce parking laws on the Southside.
Working with UAB Transportation we have made special arrangements to make convenient parking more accessible to you. Effective since March 19, employees who normally park in the Express lot have been given access to closer locations, all within three blocks of the hospital. We ask parkers who have been reassigned to continue to park in those lots/decks to which they are assigned.
In addition, several lots and decks all over campus that are typically gated have been opened and are available to employees. Employees who do not already have another parking reassignment, can now access these options, including the 5th Ave. Deck (entrance at on 5th Ave. S. between 19th and 20th Streets).
These options have been made available for your convenience and to discourage our employees from on-street parking. Mayor Randall Woodfin’s team has been a good partner to the healthcare community and UAB during the pandemic. We could not ask for a more supportive and cooperative relationship.
If you have questions or concerns about parking, or need an accommodation, please contact UAB Transportation at 205-934-3513 Monday thru Friday between 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
This story was edited at 3:49 p.m. to remove first person language from the statement from the UAB Health System.