Amazon vans at center of controversy in Milford

MILFORD — You can file this one under: Well, it seemed like a nifty idea at the time.

A Milford shopping plaza loses some big tenants, but finds a unique way to recoup lost income: By renting parking spaces to Amazon.

It’s 166 spaces, initially, but that limit didn’t last. Michael Arcaro, who works in the plaza, said there are at least 75 vans.

“They come out like soldiers, like one after another after another,” said Arcaro.

“They just increased. They multiplied... and went crazy,” he said.

Related: Mass. lawmakers question Amazon CEO about high rate of injuries at Fall River facility

Parking slots for Amazon vans now extend past Five-Star Nutrition, where manager Justine Trautwein fears someone could get hurt.

“They’re rushing around, kind of not being cautious of other people around them, which is dangerous, obviously,” Arcaro said.

Co-worker Jorge Barrios claimed a close call just that morning.

“Trying to get from my car to the entrance of the store, I had to be very careful because there was a bunch coming in and out they didn’t pay attention,” Barrios said.

We asked Amazon to respond to the charges of reckless driving. The company said it needed more time to investigate.

Some are optimistic that some day the Amazon vans will be gone from this plaza, because the company is not renting out any of the vacant spaces.

It would not appear to need those spaces, when a five-minute drive away, Amazon’s got a huge warehouse.

So why not park the vans there?

That was the closing argument made by a member of Milford’s planning board, more than a year ago.

An Amazon spokesperson sent Boston 25 News the following statement.

“We are committed to being a good neighbor and having open and consistent dialogue with Milford. We will work directly with the Milford officials to address their concerns.”

—  Amazon Spokesperson

© 2019 Cox Media Group