FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2020
City of Kingston
Will Resume Metered Parking on July 27
KINGSTON, NY – The City of Kingston will
resume paid meter parking on Monday, July 27, 2020. The municipal parking lots
will remain free of charge until Columbus Day.
With the Mid-Hudson Region now in Phase
Four of the New York State re-opening plan, many restaurants and retail stores
are opening to the public, and the need for instituting short-term parking has
returned.
“We have heard from local businesses who
are reopening requesting to reinstate metered parking across the City,” said
Mayor Noble. “In order to do everything we can to support these local
businesses, we are bringing back the parking meters and keeping the parking
lots free of charge. We hope this will encourage residents and visitors to
enjoy shopping and dining, while not leaving their vehicle long-term, which
hinders business access for others.”
“Especially in Uptown, the businesses who
are re-opening are grateful that the metered parking is returning,” said Elenie
Loizou, Kingston Uptown Business Association President. “We think this is a
great way to allow visitors and locals to do their shopping and dining, and for
those needing longer-term parking to use the lots.”
“Knowing that they will now be able to
find available parking spaces, shoppers will increasingly support our
outstanding Uptown restaurants and retail operations,” said Douglas Koop,
Alderman Ward 2.
All parking meters were bagged and all
fees were suspended on Monday, March 16, 2020 in response to COVID-19, in order
to help slow the spread of the virus. Comptroller John Tuey estimates that the
City of Kingston has lost approximately $375,000 in income from meter fees and
parking violations.
Whoosh, the mobile parking app used by
City of Kingston meters and kiosks, will be changing over to the Flowbird app
on August 1, 2020. In order to pay for parking meters electronically, Whoosh
will be available until the changeover to Flowbird is complete. All customer
data such as vehicle, license plate and payment details, will be exported from
Whoosh to Flowbird automatically. See https://flowbirdapp.com/ for
download and user instructions.