As the winter season approaches, the City of Newark has announced new changes to its parking policies that may impact businesses, particularly during the University of Delaware’s winter break. Since many of our commercial tenants are deeply affected by the ebb and flow of student traffic, it’s important to be aware of these updates, which are set to take effect this winter as part of an experimental phase.
Free Parking on Weekends from December 16—January 19. This policy is part of an effort by city officials to attract more visitors to downtown businesses, particularly during the slower months when the university is not in session. For our tenants, this presents a great opportunity to encourage weekend foot traffic, especially with the holiday season coming up. Marketing efforts that highlight free parking could help boost customer visits on Saturdays and Sundays.
No More Discounted Weekday Parking However, in a shift from the previous two years, weekday parking will no longer be discounted. The city has decided to remove the reduced parking fees during weekdays to recover an estimated $47,000 in revenue. This change is likely to impact weekday business, especially during the winter break, when foot traffic traditionally slows down. Tenants should be prepared for the potential decrease in weekday visitors, as this adjustment may deter some patrons.
Other Changes Additionally, the minimum charge for on-street parking will increase from 25 cents to 50 cents, and the time limit for on-street parking will be extended from two to three hours. These changes are designed to improve efficiency and turnover, especially during busier periods.
While these new policies are temporary, we encourage our tenants to stay informed and adjust their business strategies accordingly. Whether through promoting weekend deals, hosting special events, or emphasizing the ease of weekend access with free parking, there are ways to make the most of the current policy adjustments.
As always, Lang Development Group is here to support our tenants. We will continue to monitor these changes and provide updates on how they may affect your business. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
By staying proactive and adapting to these temporary adjustments, we can work together to minimize the impact of the winter parking policy changes on your business.
