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Norwalk: Parking Authority Shows Profit


by turfgrrl


April 15th, 2007 · 1 Comment

For the first time since it was created, the Norwalk Parking Authority has projected a profit over its operating costs. From The Hour:

Last week, city officials announced the
Parking Authority has a net cash balance
of $376,000 and is projecting a surplus for
the year. Leftover money will likely be put
towards infrastructure improvements,
said Kathryn Hebert, the Department of
Public Works’ administrative services
manager.
Hebert staffs the authority, which is
comprised of volunteers appointed by the
mayor and approved by the Common Council.
The authority’s stronger financial footing
“is due to our putting into play some of
the rate increases last fiscal year … plus
we’ve also stepped up enforcement,”
Hebert said. “We’re seeing the impact of
that now. Furthermore, the demand on all
the (parking) facilities is up, except for the
Maritime Garage.”
Midway through the 2005-2006 fiscal
year, the Parking Authority was found to
be more than $600,000 in the red. Rates
were raised, expenses were slashed,
money was taken from fee-in-lieu-of-parking
accounts funded by developers, and the
authority finished the year with roughly
an $80,000 deficit.
However, some business owners, especially
in South Norwalk, remain critical of
the city’s parking policies. Mayor Richard
A. Moccia said there will always be complaints.

Under the previous mayor, the Parking Authority, which included the front line interaction of LAZ parking as well as staff and the commission, was unresponsive to merchants and customers who encountered numerous operational problems. Mayor Moccia reversed the the backroom decision making and spent time talking to merchants and customers about the problems, and then empowered the Parking Authority to respond to the problems. Over time, many of the problems were eliminated, such as the interrogation that customers underwent on pulling into the Webster lot. Mayor Moccia admits that there is still room for some improvements, and that not everyone will be happy with the operations for a variety of reasons. Improvements will continue to be made, and with a profit showing, the Parking Authority should be pleased with the progress and reinvest those funds towards better operations.
source: The Hour, Parking agency expects surplus, by Patrick Linsey, April 15, 2007

Tags: In the News · Local · Norwalk

One Response so far ↓ “Norwalk: Parking Authority Shows Profit”



  • 1 UBChillin // Apr 17, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    Before all the officials start patting themselves on the back for turning the Parking Authority around, let’s remember that the City was given the land North of the Maritime Center by the State of Connecticut. It was appraised at $14 Million and the Redevelopment Agency along with many current Councilmen voted to sell it to the developer at a bargain price of $7 Million. The money was applied to Parking Authority debts so that may very well be factored into why the bottom line looks so good this year.

    And when they use terminology like “Fee-In-Lieu-Of-Parking Accounts” - That’s nothing but a cute way of saying you can buy your way out of the City’s Zoning regulations. The rules of parking or density shouldn’t be for sale.