First phase of towing begins in Center City's papal visit security zones

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- The time Center City residents have been dreading has finally come.

Phase one of towing in restricted parking areas has begun in preparation for the pope's visit.

Officials have asked residents to move their vehicles to legal parking spots outside of their neighborhood or choose from one of the city's alternative parking options.

Fairmount resident Kelly DiCicco opted to move her car to the suburbs.

"I had to go out to the suburbs where my parents live in Willow Grove. I had to park my car there and take the regional rail back," said DiCicco. "Now I'm depending on cabs and Uber."

Other residents in the area who decided to move their vehicles to a different neighborhood worry they will have to fight for street parking due to limited space.

To avoid the hassle all together, some residents have decided to take a vacation away from the city.

"We decided probably just to leave town to visit my parents in Wilmington because office buildings are closed, day cares are closed," said Mandy Bartoshesky of Fairmount.

Not all of the towing will happen Sunday. Here is the schedule:

At 6:00 p.m. today (Sunday, September 20), areas around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from the Art Museum extending East to 12th Street.

At 9:00 a.m. Monday, September 21, areas North and South of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

At 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, areas East of 12th Street to 3rd Street.

At 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, designated emergency routes will be cleared of parked cars.

Residents who purchased a $20 yellow placard from the Philadelphia Parking Authority earlier this week can stay put until Thursday.

From Thursday through the weekend, drivers can leave their car parked in one of six designated parking garages.

Drivers who don't move their vehicle risk getting a ticket and tow costs that can add up to a couple hundred dollars.