Hellgate High School students have been struggling with parking around the school for years. On Sept. 9, the Missoula Parking Commission approved the Hip Strip management expansion, meaning the residential parking currently beginning on Hilda Avenue by the University of Montana will be expanded into the free reign parking around the school.
According to The City of Missoula, “The Hip Strip expansion project centers on extending parking management practices into the Hip Strip.” The decision for the expanded parking will be finalized in November.
Hellgate students are upset with the news, and many want to figure out a way to change the council’s mind. While it seems impossible, Hellgate senior Jack Pew is trying to help students use their voices.
“I was frustrated,” Pew said. “It felt like the city wasn’t considering how much it would impact students and staff who rely on nearby parking.”
Parking is being directly closed off to students while on the other hand the project claims it’s being managed. The parking is just being cut off.
The talk of a protest outside city council has been raving throughout the school. “A few of us have been discussing the option of it, but we would like to get more people involved,” Pew said.
Most students continue to get ticketed around the school in general without the residential parking being extended. Students won’t be able to afford more parking tickets racking on top of their cars if Missoula City Council follows through with this expansion.
“This just pushes more stress onto students,” Pew said. “Especially the ones who work after school, or have early classes. It feels like students were left out of the conversation entirely.”
Pew, like many other students, hopes the Hellgate community and staff can help figure out a permanent solution to the awful parking problem. While the teachers have a permanent solution with their own parking lot, students grow anxious on the daily figuring out a way to get to class efficiently while also keeping their car within the parking restrictions.
In November, when this decision is finalized, the city council should take Hellgate students’ opinions into consideration. The city council thinks they’re doing more harm than good for most residents, but in reality it greatly harms the Hellgate community.
