Moving Van in the alley? (Chicago, Columbia: apartment, movers, condo)

[Thepreacherswife]

If all goes well and we close on our condo later this month, we'll be having a moving company haul our stuff up from Misery. Has anyone had experience with moving companies working on these tight streets in the city? Would it be better if they tried to park the truck in an alley rather than on the street? Or even better to park a block or two away and shuttle stuff from the truck to the condo? I seem to remember a lot of Chicago neighborhoods forbid trucks over a certain size...

[illini84]

I've done moves like this a few times--definitely have them park in an alley if at all possible. People get really, really irritated if there's a big truck blocking a lane of traffic! I'm not sure what the "shuttling" thing is...I haven't heard of movers doing that. Good luck!

[Lookout Kid]

If you think of it ahead of time, you can get the city to put up "No Parking" signs on your street to make room for your moving truck. I moved four times in this city before I found out about this, unfortunately! It's awesome. The temporary signs will go up a day or two before your move, and the space in front of your building just opens up for your truck. I think you can ask the nice folks at 311 if you want details.

Otherwise, also make sure you don't block the entire alley. Chances are better that you can double-park on the street and still let cars through. However, alleys are more narrow and there will be no way around your car. Your new neighbors will be VERY hostile if you block access to and from their garages for several hours! I've always used the street and just left room to pull around in one lane.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

If you think of it ahead of time, you can get the city to put up "No Parking" signs on your street to make room for your moving truck. I moved four times in this city before I found out about this, unfortunately! It's awesome. The temporary signs will go up a day or two before your move, and the space in front of your building just opens up for your truck. I think you can ask the nice folks at 311 if you want details.

You go to your Aldermans office and fill out the application. One of the first things you need to do is find out who all your elected officials are and what Ward you are in. You might be able to get 311 to send out an application to you.But I am pretty sure only the Alderman deal with that stuff though. If anything call him/her and maybe they can send one out to you. Since you dont live in Chicago, 311's number is :312-744-5000. As far as your Aldermans number you have to figure that out on your own. I dont know what Ward you are moving to.

[Thepreacherswife]

Thanks, y'all. I'll try the Alderman's office (Margaret Laurino) and see where that takes me. There's a couple of complicating factors - across the street from the condo is the parent pick-up zone for the elementary school (Volta) so I'm not sure if they would do a no parking zone there. But if they could do one on the cross street to the north, then the truck could park right in front of the alley and things could be moved in that way (it's a new condo but I suspect the rules will stipulate that moves have to be done through the rear entrance).

[Manigault]

What do the condo association by-laws say?

[marty9]

When I moved into my apartment, the management required new tenants to move furniture through the rear entrance which was facing the alley. It's probably best to check with your condo associaton before reserving a spot in the front of your building.
Welcome to CHICAGO!!

BTW, I lived in Columbia, MO for awhile due to my employer. Very nice town. I REALLY miss Tony's Pizza Palace. They served the best pizza and greek salad in Columbia.

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by marty9

...
BTW, I lived in Columbia, MO for awhile due to my employer. Very nice town. I REALLY miss Tony's Pizza Palace. They served the best pizza and greek salad in Columbia.

It's a shame there's no good pizza place's or Greek restaurants in Chicago.