Bloomfield parking meters were bagged on Monday and will remain so until January 2. It seemed early to me to see free parking even before December, but Bloomfield Parking Authority executive director Karen Hochman says the free holiday parking always rolls out around this time.
Montclair will bag meters between Dec. 9 and Dec. 26. Both towns warn shoppers that they’ll strictly enforce two-hour limits.
Is the longer free parking a competitive advantage for Bloomfield? “That’s wonderful advertising for them,” says Luther Flurry of the Montclair BID. “It broadcasts their shopping-friendly nature. I wish Montclair could do the same.”
But he doesn’t think that Bloomfield will steal many shoppers from Montclair in the next 10 days: “Our merchants don’t compete against Bloomfield.”
What do you think?
I noticed the bagged meters in Bloomfield this morning. It doesn’t make much of a difference to me – since I happily use the nickel or dime parking when I’m just running in to drop off or pick up somewhere. To me, a quarter for 30 minutes is a good deal.
I get more aggravated by the many FAIL meters. According to a parking enforcement officer I asked in the N. Fullerton deck, the only option is to pay by phone when a meter is broken. My phone doesn’t do that sort of thing.
I love the free parking. I dont find much holiday shopping items in Bloomfield, but I at least use their restaurants more often than not. My question is: Do the meter maids have the month off without pay? And since montclair parking is privately owned, will they offer free parking too?