The Town of Greenwich is currently in the process of expanding merchant parking downtown, specifically for the Lafayette Place parking lot.
Earlier this week, Parking Services began to accept applications for the expanded Merchant Permit Parking Program. During this initial rollout, 20 annual permits will be offered for 2020 at the annual cost of $720. This cost, which includes the required Connecticut sales tax (6.35%), will be prorated to the first day of the month in which the permit is sold.
The purpose and goal of the Merchant Permit Parking Program is to offer business owners and their employees a long term daily parking option at a reduced rate. In turn, this will free up short-term parking locations for those shopping and dining along Greenwich Avenue.
The deadline to submit applications will close at 4 p.m. on March 10. All approved applications will then be given a number and a random drawing will take place. The first 20 numbers drawn will determine which applicants will be offered a permit. All remaining applicants will be placed on a wait list, based on the sequential order in which the remaining numbers are drawn.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the program last month. Deputy Police Chief Mark Marino of the Greenwich Police Department, who oversees Parking Services for the town, presented the agenda item to the Board.
“We’re not looking to generate more revenue,” Marino told First Selectman Fred Camillo, and Selectwomen Lauren Rabin and Jill Oberlander last month. “We’re actually looking to offer a parking alternative for long term parkers and kind of make better use of that parking lot.”
Marino noted that the Lafayette Place lot gets especially full on Wednesdays due to the Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich meetings at the First Presbyterian Church.
Greenwich Hospital also uses it for overflow parking when their staff lot is full, but Marino said he would reach out to the hospital to work out special arrangements and ease congestion, particularly on Wednesdays.
Marino added that he has gotten positive feedback and support for the program from Planning & Zoning Director, Katie DeLuca, as well as area business and landowners.
Merchant Permit parking is also offered at the West End parking lot in Old Greenwich, at the William Street and Henry Street parking lots in Byram and at the Sound View parking lot and the Town Hall Garage in central Greenwich.
The application form can be obtained at greenwichct.gov, or in person at Parking Services between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Parking Services at 203-618-3060.
