Who Is Ticketing Drivers at the Noco Provisions Parking Lot?

Drivers in East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills are facing parking tickets and towing bills after unexpected enforcement began at a popular parking lot near Noco Provisions and the soon-to-open Azul Agave restaurant.

The controversy first surfaced in April, when neighbors posted online about cars being towed from the lot behind Noco Provisions on Delray Avenue. One driver reported a tow cost of $461 plus a ticket violation fee.

Similar complaints resurfaced last week, raising questions about who authorized the enforcement, whether the tickets are enforceable, and where the money goes.

Private Enforcement, Not Law Enforcement

The Kent County Sheriff's Office confirmed the tickets are not issued by law enforcement. Grand Rapids Township also said it was not behind the enforcement.

Instead, these are private parking tickets. The Sheriff's Office said it does not enforce them, and unpaid tickets could be sent to collections.

John Francis, property manager with Francis Realty Co, confirmed his company manages the lot and handles enforcement. Francis said people had parked there without consequences for a long time, but the company decided to start actively enforcing parking restrictions.

Francis said the enforcement protects private property and tenants connected to the lot, pointing to signs posted throughout the property.

Businesses Say They Are Not Involved

Neither Noco Provisions nor Azul Agave had anything to do with the parking enforcement, according to both businesses.

Noco Provisions sent a written statement saying it has two parking lots. One is in front of their building, and another is across Delray Avenue next to Kennedy's Flower Shop.

"We want everyone to know that we share in their frustrations and certainly think the parking situation could have been handled differently by whomever is having vehicles towed," the statement read in part.

Azul Agave, a Mexican restaurant that has not yet opened, also confirmed it is not authorizing the ticketing or towing. The restaurant's owner said she was not aware of the issue until seeing a post about it online.

Neighbors Say Enforcement Is Too Strict

Michelle, a Forest Hills neighbor, described getting a ticket after parking in the lot.

"To go from an honest mistake and have somebody jump on it right away, within 10 minutes, it just feels kinda gross," she said.

Michelle said she discovered she was not allowed to park in the lot after seeing a sign near the hostess stand inside Noco Provisions. She said she immediately went to move her car. When she returned to her vehicle, she found a ticket on it.

The parking area sits behind Noco Provisions and in front of Azul Agave. While the specific area behind Noco Provisions had minimal signage, except for one Azul Agave sign, it is part of a larger lot with multiple signs throughout, including a "customer parking only" sign at the entrance.

Where Does the Money Go?

Francis confirmed that money from parking tickets does not go to the landlord or the property management company, but he could not say where it does go. The towing company said money paid to it stays with the company, citing rising costs for fuel and storage.

County property records identify the lot's owner, but attempts to reach the property owner through available contact information were unsuccessful, according to FOX 17.

Noco Provisions reminds customers they have overflow parking next to Kennedy's Flower Shop.