New Rochelle BID Representatives Pledge to Reconsider Downtown Parking Proposal

What had been widely viewed as a fait accompli’t was turned on its head last night when downtown business owners showed up en masse to express strong objections to a plan under which downtown parking rules would be altered. About 25-30 business people attended.

The plan, recommended by the BID and the City Manager Chuck Strome to the City Council would extend all on street metered parking from 8AM-11PM, 7 days of week and require paid parking in all lots 24/7.

At last night’s meeting convened by Councilman Richard St. Paul at the Covenant Church on Main Street in downtown New Rochelle, business owners were opposed to the proposal which would require 24/7 metered parking in the lots and increase paying on the street meters up to ll p.m. The BID representatives, Marc Jerome and Ralph DiBart were questioned repeatedly on which members of the BID had asked for this change. The answer was the Division Street restaurants and some merchants on Main Street had said they had no parking spaces available for customers. Business owners in the audience from other restaurants and businesses did not agree with the proposal and said they would lose business if this increase in parking fees were approved. Avalon apartment dwellers who do not pay for parking were blamed for this problem. It was suggested in any new leases at Avalon that a parking space should be mandated. Marc Jerome said he would review his proposal and make his recommendation to the Council on April 14.

On hand at the meeting was City Councilman Al Tarantino, BID Board Member James O’Toole, former City Councilman Joseph Fosina, and owners of several downtown businesses including Spectators bar and restaurant, Bella Bella restaurant, and First Impressions, a tuxedo store.

Read the Downtown New Rochelle Parking Task Force Recommendations Memo