Binghamton’s Water Street Garage to Open with Free Parking Deal

The city of Binghamton will try to entice downtown shoppers to venture into the new Water Street garage with an offer of free parking.

City council has approved a measure to waive the first two hours of parking fees at the facility next to Boscov's department store for one week.

The newly-constructed facility replaces a half-century-old parking ramp that was closed two years ago. The old structure was demolished to clear the site for the new 500-space garage.

Lawmakers voted last week to authorize the free parking deal in an effort to get people back into the habit of using a downtown garage.

Binghamton economic development director Sarah Glose said the offer coincides with the start of the holiday shopping season.

Glose said LAZ Parking, which operates the city-owned garages, indicated it's system could accommodate the one-week free parking program.

Glose told city councilmembers "people don't have the greatest relationship with our garages" downtown based on the past condition of the old structures. She indicated it's important for long-term parkers to use the city's garages to keep higher-turnover spots available on the street.

The measure authorizing the free parking deal indicates the offer will be in effect from November 30 to December 7.

Mayor Jared Kraham has said he wanted the first level of the new garage to be open for holiday shoppers. He was not available Tuesday to provide information on when the facility will open.

City council also has approved a program authorizing Boscov's to provide its shoppers with three hours of free parking in the Water Street garage.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.