Violations don’t count in the preseason — and that doesn’t just go for the Eagles’ on-field misdemeanors.
At least for the team’s first home preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Parking Authority will not tow and ticket vehicles parked in the area between Oregon and Packer avenues from Broad to Seventh streets.
Instead, fans who park there during tomorrow night’s game against the New England Patriots will receive warning notices. The note will advise those parked without a proper permit to "Steer clear of a parking ticket."
The parking authority begins playing for real at the next preseason game at the Linc, on Aug. 28. Then those who disobey the signs will be fined $125 and have their vehicles towed.
Linda Miller, spokesperson for the parking authority, said there are no changes to the program this season and the grace period is mainly to ensure residents new to the neighborhood have a chance to get permit stickers for their cars.
Parking permits, which will allow residents to park in the areas off-limits to outsiders, can be obtained free from the parking authority office at 3101 Market St. Proof of residency is required. People with questions about the program can call 215-683-9729.
Currently, the special-event parking restriction applies only to Eagles games, Miller said, "but we want to have the option [to expand the program] in case the community asks us to do it for other events."
Last November, when the parking restrictions began, the city towed 52 drivers during the first Eagles home game. Another 30 were towed the following week.
So far, the other three stadium-area neighborhoods have not asked the parking authority to patrol their communities on game days.
Judy Cerrone, president of the Stadium Community Council, which represents those residing at the foot of Veterans Stadium, said her area is happy with the system they have.
"I think we can police ourselves if the neighbors cooperate and we keep our corner [police] detail," she said.
The Philadelphia Police Department dispatches three officers to guard the entrances to Cerrone’s community and another 11 to keep fans out of Packer Park on the other side of Broad Street.
Only residents with the proper stickers displayed on their vehicles and guests with visitor passes are allowed to enter those neighborhoods.
Put a cap on it
The evergreen hoisted atop Citizens Bank Park is not a premature Christmas decoration.
Ironworkers placed the tree there as part of last Tuesday’s topping-out ceremony hosted by the Phillies. The evergreen represents hope and prosperity for the new structure. An American flag also was lifted to the summit of the stadium.
The ceremony honored the near-completion of the ballpark’s steel frame. Phillies brass and invited guests watched as ironworkers installed a steel beam in a light tower at one of the highest points of the park.
The highest piece of steel sits atop the stadium’s scoreboard, 212 feet above the ground.
The new ballpark is constructed of 11,800 pieces of steel, weighing a total of 12,000 tons. It took 159 workers and four cranes to put all the pieces together.
The Phillies are scheduled to begin playing at Citizens Bank Park in April. SPR
Owls, Eagles in one nest
Log onto the Temple University athletics Web site, owlsports.com, and expect to be greeted by a pop-up picture of Lincoln Financial Field — digitally emblazoned with a red owl’s head on the 50-yard line.
Last Wednesday, the college and Eagles ownership agreed to a lease that makes the Linc the Owls’ home field for the next 15 seasons, beginning with Temple’s Sept. 6 game against Villanova.
Temple reportedly paid $15 million for the rights. Although the specifics of the deal have not been made public, it is believed at least $9 million of that sum was paid up front.
Temple is a public institution that receives state funding.
Gov. Ed Rendell and state House Speaker John Perzel pressured the Eagles to make the deal. They wrote a joint letter to the team’s ownership earlier this month. Then last week, Perzel not-so-subtly reminded the Eagles that they borrowed $90 million from the state to build the Linc. He also threatened legislation that would slap a 7-percent tax on Eagles tickets.
The school’s president, David Adamany, said in reaction to the agreement, "This is a great day for Temple University football."
Eagles president Joe Banner said the team is "looking forward to helping [Temple] have the Division I football program they desire."
Temple football plays in the Big East conference. Two years ago, members voted to kick the school out because they failed to draw crowds at home games — an eviction that becomes effective at the end of the 2004 season.
The Owls finished last season 4-8.
