First, I'm new to this site and forum, but not new to Yokosuka. Off and on, I've been between here and Atsugi since 1992.

There's a parking lot very near the main gate, between DAPS and ATG. I've heard this lot referred to as the overflow lot or the overnight lot. It's been called pretty much everything except an official designation title.

What I mean by that is, parking at the Commissary is called 'Commisarry Parking,' parking at the USNH is 'Hospital Parking,' etc.

DAPS, NTSC and ATG have parking lots. None is sufficient to handle the amount of cars for the people who work there, so the lot in the middle is referred to as 'overflow' as it is used by the people who work at either ATG, DAPS or NTSC.

It's also used by people who may not wish to drive off-base (for the evening) and so they park there at night. This doesn't cause much of a problem, as it's usually on a weekend-night, so that doesn't conflict with the work week.

Now, for years it's also been referred to as 'Daiei Parking' because people park there and then go off-base to shop at the Daiei or the 100 Yen Store or whereever.

The problem with this is, the people parking there (to go shopping) are doing so during the middle of the work day. Especially between the hours of 1000 and 1400.

It's so bad that, at any time during these hours, you can drive by and literally see several cars just cruising those 4 lanes, waiting for someone to leave, so they can nab the spot.

And it's getting cut-throat. I've gotten into my car (if you haven't guessed by now, I work at one of these locations and park in this lot) and have watched people accelerate through the parking lot, to get to me before I've even pulled out of the spot.

The most exasberating thing is, most of us who park in this lot have foregone taking lunch away from our respective buildings, because it's so difficult to find a place when you come back!

I've had to park at the SRF multi-level parking structure, and walked down the block because of a lack of parking space.

I've watched... I don't know; dependents, spouses, Sailors on liberty, whoever... park in the lot and then walk behind ATG to use the Daiei gate.

I've seen people return with Daiei shopping bags, and go to their vehicle and leave.

And that part kills me...

Because if you buy something at Daiei... the stores will validate your parking ticket and your parking is FREE!!

If you're going to buy something at Daiei, why not park there!

And let the people who work at ATG/NTSC/DAPS have a place to park and a little bit of sanity.

Use your heads, folks.

And someone needs to introduce this little fact at AOB.

... and forget even trying to find a space when the Navy Wide Exams are in play!

It should be addressed at AOBICR. I know Fleet and Family puts together AOB, maybe you could send Bob Long an email asking him to include it in their presentation. Daie offers free parking for 4 hours if you make a purchase. Also, Moore's offers free parking, 4 hours if you eat or shop there, after 4 hours its 400 yen. Just give you receipt to the parking attendant when you leave.

Navy Wide Exams: Wow.. I remember those days Talk about standing in the cold for hours in the morning.. So glad I dont have to deal with that anymore..

Anyhow, yes I think this info would be valuable during AOBICR.. The more information that is provided to incoming sailors the better..

We continue to have a huge turnover of personnel, and everyone month new reporting people have to come here and expect to already know the base rules, and off-base rules.. Well they dont! Those I think are the ones that need to be on here and reading from past experiences and learning quickly, so they dont get hit walking across a street, and learn where not to park.

In the end, I think a lot of new reporting personnel are on, or will be on this website asking their questions. For years to come this information will be relevant and helpful... Thanks ManFam, for the long and detailed post..

There are parking gripes about the "12 hour lot" as it's called by security and the NEX/Comm areas. Why not just build more parking garages and it'll solve a lot of problems.

Reserved parking spots for Flags, CO, XO, CMCs, SOY, Ombudsmen, handicapped, expectant mothers. All these are fine with me. People want to park their car near ATG so that they can walk to Daiei? Can't blame them for it. It's an hour on line to get a parking spot in Daiei on week-ends. We all knew that this would happen the minute the Daiei gate was created. But, frankly, it's really great to have that gate. There are plenty of places to have lunch at, both on and off-base, within walking distance of the ATG building. Of course, if you want/have to go to the other side of the base, then, yeah, you incur the risk of losing your parking spot to... a wife, another sailor, a civilian, a japanese contractor, your buddy from work, well, you catch my drift...to anyone. Now, how about talking about the important stuff like "Fleet Personnel Only" parking spots which seem to disappear everytime an old shop is torn down and replaced in the industrial area? Is it me or there are many reserved SRF parking lots left empty throughout the day? I have not seen the actual numbers of Fleet Personnel parking spots. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the number has actually increased. It just does not seem that way. On top of that, when the Fleet Recreation center parking lot is closed for an entire week because of some oriental furniture sales, the first to pay are the sailors. To me, that's the real parking issue on the base.

I am kind of agreeing with The Equalizer here (reluctantly though). I agree that CO, XO, CMC & ONE SOY spot per building is good. Even CO's visitor and GOVs (for that building). Ombudsmen I feel can find a spot like anyone else... Now Handicapped (I am going to sound cruel), A spot at the NEX (SURE) a spot at the Commissary (Sure) even the post office & banks... But at most military buildings WHY??? At ATG/NIOC/NCIS/Media building there are two spots... Only one person I have ever seen works at this building is Handicapped (I agree let him have his spot), but why the second spot?

As for people using the large lot to the side of the building or even parking near the building for access to Daiei that is not fine by me, but acceptable because that is why the old base CO took away ATGs reserved parking. Before if you didn't have an ATG sticker you were ticketed for parking at ATG...I know as I was one of the ticketers (I enjoyed it immensely). When the base CO removed all reserved parking one of the "benefits" he used as an excuse was so people could use that parking lot to make a quick entrance to Daiei via the back gate and not have to ha**le with off-base traffic just to get a parking spot. I hated the idea...but that is what happened.

I beg to differ with you all, but the two biggest problems with that parking area are all of the contractors that park construction vehicles and vans etc there. Sometimes days at a time without moving and the people who live off base and cancel their parking and then park their cars their every day like it is their personal space.

That being said, many of us are inherently lazy. How many of you have walked from a tower that’s less than 1/2 of a mile away to your workplace.....probably none of you. (I am not much better personally) remember the base is only 2 miles long at its longest point and 3/4 of a mile at its widest

note for above post....did you know that a contractor can bring as many vehicles on as they like regardless of the size of the job they are doing? tis a fact. I researched this after watching the same group of local national men come on board with POV's, park them at the gate, and then jump into a construction van to go to a work site on the base. I aske dthe VRO people about this and they said "surely they were not jsut POV's, they must have needed them for something" I asked them why they parked them at the gate then????? answer "..........silence......"

Ken, no kidding. Every morning arriving to work, we battle thru the herd of contractors piling into one vehicle while exiting multiple POV's parked in this lot. It needs to be turned into a parking STRUCTURE, like the one that SRF got. There also needs to be ANOTHER structure built in the industrial area for the Sailors so they don't have to battle with Fleet Rec customers. And I agree with Eq.... everyone, especially Sailors, get screwed during those oriental furniture sales.

Equalizer.... There are more Sailors around the base then just those in the industrial area. Issues over parking at this location are not less "important" or "real" just because they are outside the industrial area.

One thing we can probably all agree on... there is nowhere near enough parking on this base.

People,

CFAY Traffic Safety Coordinator, Mr. Adrian Marsh, at the CFAY Safety Office can answer all of your questions. Instead of complaining why not try and find out why things are the way they are. Every one of your gripes are covered by a regulation, directive, law or instruction.

"Why don't they just build more parking garages?" Since all of the buildings on CFAY are built and paid for by GOJ they have to be convinced of a need and that ain't gonna happen. If I were the GOJ I'd say "you're letting your members have too many vehicles".

Reserved parking spaces? CFAY instruction. It's on line. I could give you the instruction number but you wouldn't learn anything if I did.

Handicapped parking? Required by GOJ law.

Now as for the gate parking lot, just who's parking there during lunch hour? Have you checked that out? If you DO check you'll see contractor vehicles (not allowed) and MLC vehicles (also not allowed) taking up a majority of the spaces. As the Traffic Safety Committe rep for my command I am personally addressing this at the next meeting on 16 Dec. This will not be the first time it's addressed.

If you live on base...WALK! Or take the base bus or a cab. The cost of a base cab is a lot cheaper than off base parking, believe me.

"Instead of complaining why not try and find out why things are the way they are?"

Now, where would be the fun in that?

Loki, agreed with everything you wrote. I was just mentioning the industrial side, not implying that there are more sailors there than on the "other side", but simply to reflect my opinion that parking shortage is more critical on the industrial side. SRF workers, both Japanese and US, have reserved spots but fleet personnel only have a handful of available parking spots. On the"other side", those who reside there have a reserved parking spot at their residence. There is a parking shortage at the PSD and at the USNH because customers and staff members share the same parking lot.

Also agree with GBeckwith. There are quite a few laws and regulations that require parking spots to be allocated the way they are allocated.

Sure, it would be nice to get more parking towers but I think that the GOJ would only finance their construction if it would benefit Japanese personnel as much or more so than it would sailors.

Just look at the parking towers: The upper half of the parking tower by the CFAY security office are reserved to SRF. The tower behind the FISC building started as fleet personnel parking and progressively became reserved to non-fleet personnel. FISC and DDYJ, many of them Japanese, use it and fleet sailors will get ticketed for parking there. The NAVFAC parking tower by the Official Government Vehicles gas station seems to be mostly used by Japanese personnel.

The parking tower at the top of the hill by the C-5 building is really the only tower that's pretty much open to everyone on a first come first served basis. But it's pretty far away from the piers so fleet sailors won't use it.

I maybe totally wrong and please do correct me if I am, but, again, this is how things appear to me.

[quote]
Posted By The Equalizer on 15 Dec 2009 12:22 AM
People want to park their car near ATG so that they can walk to Daiei? Can't blame them for it. It's an hour on line to get a parking spot in Daiei on week-ends.[/quote]

I don't think anyone suggested it was a problem on the weekends.

It's during the workweek, when Sailors have a limited amount of time to conduct their business during their lunch hours and come back, having to contend with groups of shoppers unloading strollers and whatnot, as they prepare for battle in Daiei.

They're obviously shopping when there isn't a large line on 16, waiting to get into the parking area of the building.

Again, the 'shop, and your parking is free' needs to be incorporated into AOB at some point.

I've read all the replies, and everyone has a valid point. There are a few other things that were worth mentioning that I didn't put in the OP. Thanks to those who mentioned the locals and the abandonded vehicles that find their way into this lot as well.

Question. How many people live close enough to a train station to take the train in to work, yet drive their cars anyway?

[quote]
Posted By KeithJ on 15 Dec 2009 08:52 PM
Question. How many people live close enough to a train station to take the train in to work, yet drive their cars anyway?
[/quote]

Too many. It's called, Americans in general, are lazy and would rather do things the "easy way." Walking is "too hard" or "too long."

I know I am only one person, but to answer that question I live 20 minutes by car from the closest train station and 21 minutes by car to the base. Hmm... Think I'll drive. I do at times take the bus though just when I don't feel like driving. That takes close to an hour one way.

Wilson, if I were in your shoes, yes I would drive also. You obviously don't "live close enough to a train station." There are others that I'm sure of that do "live close enough..."

I know someone that lives in that apt building just outside of the main gate... He drives to work sometimes...it probably takes him more time to get his car out of his parking spot than it would to walk to work. His excuse...I have errands to run. Could be a worthy excuse, but why not just walk home to get the car...I still like him though so I won't let it break a friendship. Just odd in my opinion!

Carteej, I think you identified the root cause of about 80% of the problems around here: American culture. Whether you guys admit it or not, we're not that good at being thoughtful and considerate toward others.

[quote]
Posted By KeithJ on 15 Dec 2009 10:45 PM
Carteej, I think you identified the root cause of about 80% of the problems around here: American culture. Whether you guys admit it or not, we're not that good at being thoughtful and considerate toward others.
[/quote]

Very true! I do a mix of driving my vehicle and riding a bike, depends on time of year and weather.

One of my many duties is as the manager of the FISC parking garage (tower). I can tell you that during my tenure as such over the past eight years this garage has never been open to fleet parking. The compound is designated as a secure area and is locked at night. FISC Security was originally provided the ability to issue parking tickets to those personnel who parked there but did not have an authorized parking permit. CFAY Security has since taken that function away from us. The garage is monitored on a daily basis by me and my staff and the duty section after hours. The FISC parking instruction directs all FISC/DDYJ/PSNS personnel who have been issued a FISC parking permit to park only in the garage, however, a select few still elect to park in the fleet parking areas adjacent to F157. Despite continued requests for assistance to make this stop I have received absolutely no support from the organization. I would ask that anyone who finds a vehicle with a yellow FISC parking permit parked in those spaces adjacent to F157 to report so to the front desk in F157. Maybe then appropriate action can be taken and we can free up a few more spots for the fleet.

As for parking on the waterfront, two years ago plans had been drawn up to construct parking platforms similar to those along the NAF Atsugi flight line or at Yamada Denki (near Red Lobster) in Otsu. I have no idea what happened to that proposal but I can tell you that construction processes are sluggish, to say the least.

know what i just read? BLAH BLAH BLAH I HAVE SAND IN MY CLAM I'm too lazy to car pool or park in the parking garage because it an extra 6 minutes out of my way, instead I will complain about the D-bags who are not considerate of those of us who do work during the day. You have options, you can do like the rest of us and show up early/car pool/take the train or bring your lunch in to work. All this can be planned for if you know what the deal is. Nothings going to change until they decide to make a parkin lot net to your work. WE ARE IN JAPAN as they say when in Rome HOP YO AS ON A BEACH CRUISER AND CALL IT GOOD BABY!!! lol.

I concur with a lot of what has already been said about parking on the base. People are lazy and need to walk more. There's too many reserved spots for everybody and their dog. If anybody wearing a uniform is reading this and TRULY cares about this issue, I would recommend they make the "Red Brick Parking Area" into a parking area which would benefit people using the NEX/Commissary/New Community Center. The area is now used exclusively by those Navy Exchange Car Sales Sharks taking up valuable real estate selling over-priced gas-guzzlers and putting up Bouncy Castles so the NEX can make a profit and turn it over to MWR who will waste it on More Wasted Resources.

How did a thread about parking end up being a showcase for failure of the education system?

Beats me. Sand in my clam?

You need to wash that thing out a bit better.

I'm sorry loki and Mantam, my humor isn't for everyone, just those of use with cock, balls and thick skin lol. I just found it silly people got all but hurt about having to walk an extra 6 minutes to work. If they were smart they would document it as PT. I'll try to keep it classy for you ladies in the future.

-Clam = Vag
Sand = Pearl producing item

At this rate someone will have a full set to give to a loved one. Snoochies

I'm sorry loki and Mantam, my humor isn't for everyone, just those of use with cock, balls and thick skin lol. I just found it silly people got all but hurt about having to walk an extra 6 minutes to work. If they were smart they would document it as PT. I'll try to keep it classy for you ladies in the future.

-Clam = Vag
Sand = Pearl producing item

At this rate someone will have a full set to give to a loved one. Snoochies

This helps explain why there's a fat kid epidemic in the states.

And a mentally deficient one in the military.

Look at it this way Prime... Adam is trying to make japanbases.com one of the "must have" websites for personnel coming to, or already in, Japan. When a visitor stops by and checks out some of the VALID (and you do NOT get to define what is valid, only that which interests you) complaints... half way down, they are subjected to "sand in your clam" and other diatribes. How, EXACTLY, does that contribute to the image that Adam is working so hard to try and convey?

In other words... you don't give a shit about the work Adam is doing or what the overall goal of the site is. You just want to have your fun and to hell with everyone else. Got it. You're an ass. I'll ensure to treat you accordingly in the future. You're lucky it's Adam. Anybody else spending their own dime on this woulda booted you a long time ago.

"know what i just read? BLAH BLAH BLAH I HAVE SAND IN MY CLAM". Yea, your right. Your "sense of humor" escapes me. Ever notice that people who say their sense of humor isn't for everyone, especially when it's obviously just an excuse to be an a******, tend to be the least funniest people around?

[quote]
Posted By KeithJ on 17 Dec 2009 06:04 PM
This helps explain why there's a fat kid epidemic in the states.
[/quote]


This and the video games.

Oh... and the global warming which is making it so damn cold out...

Loki,

Thank you for your comments.

I havent had much time to respond to much that has been going on, since I have been working very hard on the new additions to the website. I have had meetings after meetings with Japanese companies the past few days. I am very happy with the progress that has been made, and I can assure, you everyone will be very please with the way the site will evolve.

You are right, that I am hoping to build a very productive positive site for reporting personnel, and people that currently live in Japan.

Prime's post are never nice, and I would hope he will clean up his comments, and be more positive towards the community.

One thing people must realize, is this site is to be a positive role, and to help corrective problems, issues, and bring about awareness. Not to bash one another, or to use foul language. Please try to think that there maybe kids, and teens reading these forums, and they would be clueless what a clam (etc..) is, and honestly its just uncalled for. Please remember, these forums are being read by the bases. I can assure you! They are reading things. So when you post things, have some common sense. The site receives around 1600 people per day right now in visitors. Not everyone logs in, but they are reading things. Please use this as a warning. I will be giving a few individuals moderation access very soon, which they will be authorized to delete/edit others posts. I am just trying to get things finished with the restaurant section I am building. Thanks again for all the support! I love reading all the posts.

Before Adm Kelly retired (boy I miss him :( what an AWESOME person he was to work for!!), he had a meeting with all his CNFJ staff E-6 and below. He asked us if there were any questions for him. Someone brought up the parking issue and his response was "It is not a priority, not as important as other things."

Hopefully Adm Wren will feel differently and persuade the GOJ to build more parking structures.

Doubtful of that. To be honest, parking is NOT near the priority that some other things are. To some people it will be a HUGE issue, to others it's a nagging inconvenience, but not that big a deal. To others, it's just a way to vent. There might be are concerns (MLC and contractors), but if the PROBLEM is you having to park across the block and walk an extra 200 yards... that's not really much of a problem, is it? More frustrating than anything, especially if official duties call you away, and you return to no parking and someone parking there so they can go to the store (which, again, has it's own free parking).

I'll look at it this way. If the major gripe someone has is parking, the duty must be pretty good overall.

I, on the other hand, could vent all day about the condition of the softball field. But, nobody else would care. We all have our pet peeves.

I'll have you know Loki I'm a pretty damn funny guy, being a chubby black guy grandfathers me in. In fact I should get paid for some of my shinanigans.

For you Adam I limit my harsh post to only the truly retarded ones. Sometimes I just cant help my self.

Loki has been away from the states too long feel free to come join your brothers and sisters on the mainland. Dont be a D-bag, hey go to south park studios and watch some videos and crack a smile. Sorry I grew up in the Beavis and Butthead erra, my dark humor isn't for older people...huh huh hu

Navy Chick - I also liked RADM Kelly as a "regular guy" type of admiral. Reading your post about the new guy (RADM Wren) would lead one to surmise that you feel he would take on this ongoing/no-solution-in-sight problem. What makes you think Wren is any different? My opinion about senior naval leadership here is this: they only care about what the fleet wants and what makes them look good in the eyes of the Japanese Government. Simple as that, I don't care what anybody says. That's my opinion. The secret would be to get Wren to see it that way, but I doubt he will. Prove me wrong.

Rotsa Ruck,
I understand your opinion. Hopefully if enough people make an issue out of the lack of parking, Adm Wren will take the problem to the GOJ. With the addition of the GW sailors & families to our numbers on base, we truly need to increase the parking.
Crossing my fingers that the gentlemen in C-1 will make it a priority for 2010 or 2011!

Navychick,
My final 2 yen on this one.  I first became involved with base construction issues in 1989 when the ATG building was being constructed.  Since then, off and on, my official duties have also included additional involvement which has provided me with a lot of information and insight.  Since there are no NAVFAC or CE folks taking this ball I'm just gonna run it in myself.
Construction projects are planned 5 to 10 years in advance and are phased.  Even if Adm Wren did want something built there's a whole bunch of hoops that need to be jumped before planning can even begin.  That being said, it's the GOJ who does the planning.  It is, after all, their base, whether people want to admit it or not.  GOJ has the say on what gets built and they will take on board reasonable requests which fit into their long term plans for building replacement.  For example the "new" SRF and NAVFAC as well as The Sullivans buildings had parking garages designed into those projects.  I have used all of them during the day and there are plenty of spaces to go around.  Granted, the school garage is not really to be considered here but the top four floors have been designated as long term parking for deployers.
The bottom line here is that you can request and complain and plead and beg all you want to; if it's not in the 5-10 year plan you won't see it during your time here.
Salute, say aye-aye and carry on.

Thanks Beckwith for providing the inside scoop on how the decision-making process works. We need more people on this forum like you to enlighten us and give us reality checks. This parking problem is a "never-ending-story" with no solution in sight.

I agree with Primemas. To many clams with sand. He is funny!

Second. Beck is spot on about the time. You would not even see the ground being surevyed in 5 years. GOJ has you jumping hoops more than a circus dog can jump through.

Third. I live in Yoshii and have 2 cars. It is a 20 min bus ride to the nearest train station for me. Or a 20 min bicycle ride to the base. I ride my bike most of the time! People are just GAWD DAMD LAZY!!

Forth. I was at the AOB. No one raised any questions about parking. If it was such a big deal to all of you, you should have been there to vent! Squeeky wheel gets the grease!

Fifth. If you see something wrong call them out! If there are contractors parking povs there, call security. Have them ticked and towed! It only takes one time! They want to keep the contracts and keep working!

Sixth. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Be happy that you can drive at all. There are others that need it, but because they or their sponsors are not high enough on the food chain, can't! Get over it and walk a little or get to work a little early, before the rush!

I have lived in Japan since 97 and this has always and I believe will always be an issue. You just have to deal with it the best you can while you are here. You have to realize that you are not the most important thing going on, on this base. Yes, Parking is not at the top of the priority list.

Peace Out!!