Daring to chair
The limits of the Pittsburgh Parking Chair
The “Chair Man” of Phillips Avenue has earned a place in Pittsburgh lore. As detailed by Post-Gazette reporter Adam Smeltz last week, a certain gentleman on a Squirrel Hill block has become a staunch claimer of the parking space in front of his house. It’s not his property, of course — it’s street parking, open to any motor vehicle at rest. But lately this fellow has taken to staking out his claim with the device that truly can be called an icon: a Pittsburgh Parking Chair. Many neighbors are not impressed.
The Pittsburgh Parking Chair is most often deployed after a snowstorm. Someone who has labored to shovel out a space will place a temporary hold on the snowless spot. It’s a reasonable request. After venturing out to deplete the supermarket shelves of milk, eggs and bread, who wants to clear another place to park? The Pittsburgh Parking Chair is also accepted for various personal reasons: Aunt Martha with bad knees is coming for Sunday supper and needs a space right out front; a truck will be delivering a wide-screen TV for a Steelers playoff party. Neighbors are generally understanding. It’s a courtesy that most are willing to extend because they will seek the same someday. While strictly not legal by statute, the Pittsburgh Parking Chair, by long usage, has earned a certain standing by custom. In other words, only a jerk would move a neighbor’s parking chair — and only a jerk would use one with no good reason.
The situation on Phillips Avenue became inflamed on the social media platform Nextdoor, where neighbors banded together to complain. Some fed-up folks move the guy’s chair at every chance. Others defend him, saying that his motivations are misunderstood and the matter is overblown. The usually intrepid Mr. Smeltz was not able to interview the man with the chair or even confirm his full name. But we hope another Pittsburgh tradition — common sense — prevails on Phillips Avenue. “Chair Man” should either apply for a disabled parking space or make the case to his neighbors that he has a special need and seek their indulgence. Who knows? It could become a beautiful day in the neighborhood.