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New Rochelle Approves Downtown Parking Overhaul

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Motorists and shoppers frequenting downtown New Rochelle may soon see some changes to the familiar infrastructure after the City Council unanimously approved a parking-management overhaul.

Downtown New Rochelle will soon see some changes to its parking infrastructure.

Downtown New Rochelle will soon see some changes to its parking infrastructure.

Photo Credit: File

Although downtown New Rochelle has been shifting toward a more walker and bike friendly approach for several years, the city council reached an agreement with LAZ Parking, which will oversee every aspect of municipal parking oversight, maintenance and management beginning next year.

LAZ will provide upwards of $700,000 in new technology that will accelerate several initiatives, including pay-by-cell functionality, online permitting and license plate number enforcement. The firm will also provide valet parking at appropriate locations.

According to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, even as the city promotes its green initiatives, it is important that the heart of the city’s business district have a functional parking infrastructure.

“Over the years, the city has worked toward (improved parking options) by upgrading parking lots, installing better meters and adding new spaces on the street,” he noted. “It’s been an incremental process with modest improvements building on each other.”

It is expected that LAZ will emphasize license plate recognition (LPR) and pay-by-plate pay station solutions. They are also lightening the burden on Community Service Officers by providing the city with two fully equipped LPR vehicles.

While the city doesn’t stand to benefit financially from the parking overhaul immediate, Bramson said it should benefit New Rochelle immeasurably in the long term. The overhaul is set to begin early next year, with LAZ’s contract taking effect on New Year’s Day.

“From a narrow fiscal perspective, this arrangement is basically a break-even proposition, with LAZ’s contract funded out of parking revenue, not property tax,” he added. “More broadly; however, by providing shoppers, diners and residents with a positive experience, we can certainly help attract investment and strengthen our economy. 

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