Norwalk Parking Authority Begins New Chapter

Press release from Norwalk Now:

HELPING NORWALK GET BACK TO BUSINESS

Norwalk Parking Authority Begins a New Chapter to Adapt to the New Norm

Digital Payment Platforms, Reduced Permit Rates and Expanded Courtesy Card Program

May 30, 2020, Norwalk, CT: As the City of Norwalk continues to navigate its way through the many challenges presented by COVID-19, next phase operations include the implementation of the Norwalk Parking Authority’s parking procedures and the addition of new fee structures and convenient and touchless payment options.

Upon the unprecedented closing of Norwalk businesses and the subsequent outcomes it generated, the Norwalk Parking Authority was quick to react with suspended parking fees throughout the mandated closing period set forth by the State of Connecticut. As the fog gradually lifts, and businesses begin their opening phases and consumers resurface from their quarantine lives, new life will be breathed into our resilient city, and we will continue to be a city on the move.

Starting June 1, 2020, the Norwalk Parking Authority will resume operations. Careful consideration is being made with added leniency towards expired meters with gentle reminders in the form of courtesy cards issued, prompting everyone to be mindful of their parking time. The courtesy card program has had a tremendous impact since its inception two years ago. It dramatically reduced ticketing and ticketing revenue, a strategy the Norwalk Parking Authority will be expanding the parameters of in response to COVID-19. In addition, free fifteen-minute curbside pick-up and drop-off spaces in heavy demand areas have been added throughout the city.

Strict sanitization practices include hourly cleaning and disinfecting of customer touchpoints on all parking equipment and parking garage touchpoints. Consumers are encouraged to take advantage of Touchless Payment Options, which include:

- ParkMobile pay by cell app

Special Promotion – One-time - $2.00 Free for all subscribers (use code: NORWALK2OFF).

Special Promotion - New ParkMobile subscribers can receive a discount through the Norwalk Now website (use code: NNNEW) and use the one-time promotion as well.

- New Payment Option Coming Soon - Text-To-Park, for users who do not wish to download the pay by cell app.

- New Online Program Coming Soon - Advance Reservation Parking with QR Code Scanning at the Maritime Garage and South Norwalk Garage.

Up to date parking information can be found on www.norwalkpark.org.

Beginning June 1 and running through August 31, the Norwalk Parking Authority is implementing a reduced Parking Permit fee structure at the Maritime Garage (reduce rates for restaurant/retail employees), Wall Street, Main Street, and Webster Street lots with reductions up to 50%. More information is available at www.norwalkpark.org.

“This has been a unique experience for the public, government officials, business owners, and the Parking Authority with many obstacles to overcome, “says Dick Brescia, Chairman of the Parking Authority, “We will continue to monitor the parking needs of the community as we gradually return to the enforcement of parking regulations . It's important to note that enforcement is critical to our goal to provide continual access to convenient public parking assets. We will continue making the necessary transitions and new practice additions needed to make the rebuilding of our city as seamless as possible.”

This press release was produced by Norwalk Now. The views expressed here are the author's own.