HOBOKEN – After last week’s water main breaks caused a headache for businesses unable to meet their sales goals, the city will offer free parking at city-owned lots with a $25 purchase.
The parking fee suspensions will start Saturday, Dec. 5 and run every Saturday and Sunday from 12:01 a.m. through Jan. 3, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. and every day from Dec 21 at 12:01 a.m. through Dec. 25 at 11:59 p.m.
“The city wishes to incentivize local shopping during the holiday season and seeks to suspend parking fees in city owned public garages for up to four hours per day which must be within a single parking session, subject to providing receipts showing at least $25 worth of food and/or retail purchases within the City of Hoboken on that specific day,” reads an excerpt from the resolution.
Residents are instructed to show receipts reflecting purchases of $25 or more to parking attendants. After the allotted four hours, the parking fees will cost the regular rate.
The City Council unanimously approved the resolution during the public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Outgoing 1st Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano, who lost her reelection bid to Zoning Board Commissioner Michael DeFusco, says the proposed parking fee suspension is not ideal, but better than nothing.
“When we had regular meters, we used to put post cards on cars throughout the month saying ‘Happy Holidays,’” said Castellano over the phone on Thursday.
Castellano served on the council for over 20 years and has owned retail store, City Discount Clothing on Washington Street since 1969. “Me being a retailer, I know that helps. We have competition in West New York, Union City, North Bergen and Jersey City,” she added.
Our Digital Archive from 2000 – 2016
