Due to construction of the new science wing, Zolman Construction and Development Inc. is occupying an estimated 50 parking spots as space for offices and building material storage. The few remaining spots have been allotted to only a handful of seniors while juniors have been excluded entirely.
“It’s really annoying and inconvenient,” said Jenna Raffo, one of the many juniors denied parking permits. “There’s really nowhere else to park except Georgetown [Avenue].”
Because it is one of the only streets adjacent to Aragon without “No Parking” signs strewn along it, Georgetown Avenue has become one of the few places to park for students without permits. During school hours, it is packed with students’ cars, angering some residents of the street.
“Sometimes I can’t park in front of my own house,” said Georgetown resident Cheryl Jenkins. “I’m not happy with it at all.”
This opinion seems to resonate throughout Georgetown. However, many other residents of the neighborhood contained within the vicinity of Baywood, Aragon, and Borel disagree, saying that the only time they actually have a problem with Aragon-related parking is during weekend events.
“I’m indifferent about it; to me, the street is public. I don’t think we have the luxury to live in the Bay Area with 8 million people and feel like parking in front of our house has to be exclusively ours,” said Edward Jackson, a resident of Aragon Boulevard. “I consciously decided to live here, so I knew people were going to do that.”
Among the students of Aragon, the opinion varies between sympathy towards the residents and irritation due to the restricted of freedom to park.
“I guess it would be annoying if the people who live there couldn’t park in front of their own house, but who’s even home during the middle of the day anyway,” said junior Tyler Bray.
Junior Justin Ordonez added, “They have driveways, why don’t they use them?”
Assistant Principal Joe Mahood said, “Construction will be done in January, so we’ll have the parking places back in February.”
“I’m sure they’ll open it up for juniors, just to be fair,” says Staff Assistant Dounia Kardosh, referring to the reassignment of parking permits that will happen with the return of the parking spaces.
