Parking Task Force advises 24/7 paid parking

Written by Greg Maker

Thursday, 04 February 2010 18:45

After discussion over the past several months, the Parking Task Force (PTF) is recommending to extend the hours on parking on meters on-street and in parking lots. Executive Director of the Business Improvement District (BID) Ralph DiBart gave the New Rochelle City Council the PTF’s recommendation at their meeting held on Feb. 2 to extend paid parking in all municipal parking lots to 24 hours a day, seven days a week and to increase paid parking until 11 p.m. for off-street parking everyday except Sunday where parking will remain free. Currently, drivers do not have to pay for municipal lots or off-street parking after 6 p.m.

“Some businesses want to retain free parking after 6 p.m.,” DiBart explained in a memo to Mayor Noam Bramson and the New Rochelle City Council dated Jan. 25, 2010. “In addition some residents do not like it. These residents and businesses want free parking for their guests, employees and customers.”

The PTF studied parking in Mt. Vernon, Yonkers and White Plains and found that each city charges for off-street parking 24/7. The PTF study found that residents park in municipal lots for free to avoid paying parking fees in either their residential complexes or for municipal permits. The PTF is proposing that the city should plan to replace meters in downtown lots with ticket kiosks which are budgeted for in this year’s budget at the Prospect Street lot.

The PTF looked at the Prospect Street lot which was restored seven years ago. They agreed that permit parking should be used on the Prospect Street side of the lot. DiBart had a meeting with the condominium board of Davenport Lofts located at 554 Main St. in which he was told that the permit parking has not been fully respected. DiBart added that residents of Davenport Lofts like the concept of free parking for visitors and guests but are concerned about lighting and security.

Residents of the building reported to DiBart and City Manager Chuck Strome that they are unhappy at the extra distance from their building they will have to walk, stating that they never had to do it before.

According to the Jan. 25 memo, when Davenport Lofts was built the developer agreed to set aside sufficient parking spaces to make the project viable. Residents were allowed to purchase parking permits and the area for long-term parking would be in the area of the lot closest to Main Street.
The PTF is recommending the long-term permit versus short-term parking should be implemented when new ticket machines are installed.

Councilman Barry Fertel (D-5th District) questioned DiBart about why parking should be 24/7 on weekdays.

“The BID is generated to help local businesses,” Fertel said. “How does that help these businesses when they and their customers will have to pay at later times during the day?”

DiBart responded by citing the New Roc parking garage as an example where there is 24/7 parking.

“We want to run the lots in a more professional management style,” DiBart said. “We should try it and see what the shakeout is over six months and see if we can better utilize the parking.”

DiBart continued to say that the core area of the downtown is where the greatest pressure is being exerted.

“We thought the best thing to do was to be consistent,” DiBart stated. “The city is very generous in handing out residential permits, charging less than a dollar-a-day per year from them.”

According to Strome, New Rochelle’s parking rates for permits is exceedingly less expensive than onsite residential parking.

“Since we can’t require a person to buy a permit from ‘x’ parking garage, they take their chances in city lots,” Strome said. “We require developers to build on-site parking but it doesn’t do much good if the people that live there don’t want to park there.”

Councilman Lou Trangucci (R-1st District) pointed out that parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church use the Prospect Street lot.

“I think this would put a burden on churchgoers,” Trangucci said.

Mayor Noam Bramson (D) stated he is not committed either way at this point. He just wants more information.

“We will make sure to get some data so we can make proper zoning judgments down the road,” the mayor said.

In addition to parking fees, the PTF is exploring other improvements to the Prospect Street lot such as temporary speed bumps to slow down traffic, enhancing the visibility of the pedestrian walkway from the rear of the lot to Leroy Place, and adding new lights. Furthermore, the New Rochelle Police Department is working on a $215,000 security camera program through a $200,000 Police Department grant the NRPD is hoping to obtain, and a BID contribution of $15,000. Prior to installing any cameras, the NRPD will meet with downtown property and business owners to discuss the plan.

Please register or login to add your comments to this article.

HomeTown Blogs

Get the latest news from your community at HomeTown Happenings, the new blog from the HomeTown Media Group. Check here for breaking news and exclusive online content from HomeTown's editorial team.

Subscribe to HomeTown Happenings

Smith's Sports Shorts

Warning: curl_setopt() [function.curl-setopt]: Invalid curl configuration option in /home/content/h/o/m/hometwn/html/thesoundreport/modules/mod_easy_twitter_status/mod_easy_twitter_status.php on line 33

Another two out hit, first and third
Kehoe, NEARLY thrown out on a passed ball. Nearly
Almost straight three, but James Kehoe helps himself with a single
Grounder to second. Two pitches, two outs
Grounder to third, one out
Follow On Twitter
Powered by Easy Twitter Status