Parking in Huntington remains a hassle for many despite a recent effort to clamp down on illegally parked vehicles.

The town began an illegal parking crackdown last month in Huntington's downtown area and at Long Island Rail Road commuter lots. Since March 1, officials say two full-time parking enforcement officers have issued more than 3,300 tickets -- more than twice as many as the same time last year.

There was also an amnesty program for prior offenders that offered a 40% discount on unpaid tickets.

But some residents say a lack of available parking has been an issue for decades.

Jack Palladino, a restaurant owner and Business Improvement District president, says insufficient parking keeps customers away and also negatively affects his workers.

Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci agrees that something must be done to bring more parking to downtown Huntington. He says he's pushing for the construction of a 300-space garage, as long as the structure fits the character of the business district. That project would take around 16 months to build.

"We want to keep it as a great downtown area that's welcoming to businesses and welcoming to people," he says.

Lupinacci says he hopes for a proposal from the Town Board on a parking structure by the end of the summer.