Will Hoboken parking permits go up?

by Carly

Thursday December 04, 2008, 12:33 PM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowFrom missing money in the Parking Utility to a possible increase in residential permits, parking's no picnic in Hoboken.

So every car owner in Hoboken is all upset over a proposed resolution before the City Council to increase residential parking permits to $25. The resolution was removed yesterday by Councilwoman Terry LaBruno, chair of the Traffic and Parking sub-committee, and she'd like to give you some more information about it:

First of all, the permit hike was introduced by Hoboken's state monitor, Judy Tripodi. It was suggested as a way for Hoboken to increase revenue (yeah, as if that 47% tax hike isn't enough).

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Parking in Hoboken makes it to "This American Life"

by Carly

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 4:43 PM

Seth Wenig/AP PhotoIra Glass asks of the Hoboken Parking Utility: "Who do they think they are?"

WNYC Public radio program "This American Life" just now aired a segment on the abuse of power by those in authority and used as an example of this the Hoboken Parking Authority who illegally parks their own vehicles while ticketing those who are one inch over a yellow curb. Hoboken city government cannot think they can get away with everything in secret.

You can listen to a podcast from the show, which is entitled "Who Do You Think You Are?" and is about the abuses of power and privilege in America. Ah, nice to see Hoboken made it into the broadcast.

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Hoboken parking is sooo bad ...

by Amy

Friday October 17, 2008, 3:38 PM

Joe ShineFor those of you tempted to steal yourself a Hoboken residential parking permit, don't bother, because the Hoboken Parking Utility checks to make sure they match the license plate.

... that a 29-year-old Hoboken woman recently had her resident parking permit stolen, Hoboken police said.

But the theft was apparently for naught.

Why?

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Move your car to Garage B to avoid possible flooding in Hoboken

by Carly

Friday September 26, 2008, 8:30 AM

Carly Baldwin/Hoboken NowHoboken may or may not flood today, but you can still park your car at Garage B for free. This shot was taken outside the Sky Club earlier this year.

With the wet weather predicted to continue 'till tomorrow night, here's another reminder from 4th Ward Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer to move your car to safety at Garage B (for free!) to avoid possible flooding.

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Urgent: move your car tonight before the flooding

by Amy

Thursday September 25, 2008, 5:48 PM

Lysa Chen/Hoboken Now file photoDon't let this happen to your car as the rains hit Hoboken tonight.

Flooding is expected tonight, but the Hoboken Parking Utility is offering free parking tonight at "Garage B."

Here are the details:

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Urgent notice: Move your car tonight to avoid flooding

by Amy

Friday September 12, 2008, 1:04 PM

Lysa Chen/Hoboken NowFlooding at the intersection of Newark Street and Park Avenue earlier this summer.

If you want to avoid paying $2,700 to have your water-logged car cleaned, then you might want to move your car to the comfort of the city's "Garage B," which will be free this weekend.

Even if you like driving with the earthy aroma of mold, Hoboken's flooding-maven Councilwoman Dawn Zimmer, still urges you to move your car so the city can clean up all the gross stuff that comes out of the sewers immediately afterward.

Here's what you need to know:

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Hoboken Parking Utility cart accident

by Carly

Wednesday August 27, 2008, 12:18 PM

And now here's some photos....

Joe ShineThe HPU cart, the trash can and the pole on Washington Street this morning.

A Hoboken Parking Utility cart was involved in an accident this morning on First and Washington streets.

The HPU vehicle was hit by a truck sometime before 8:50 this morning, according to Jerry Lore, a spokesperson for the city of Hoboken.

After being hit, the tiny HPU cart jumped onto a sidewalk and hit a lamp post and a trash can. Lore said he is not sure why or how the truck hit the parking cart.

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How's Hoboken's community policing going?

by Amy

Thursday July 31, 2008, 5:06 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowOfficers James Babro, left, and William Oquendo tell a visitor how to find the ferry and where they can park.

It's been nearly a month since Hoboken's community policing unit was brought back to life after a 10-month hiatus. So how's it going?

"People have been pretty friendly," said Officer James Barbro, who covers the waterfront area from Observer to Fourth.

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A punishment for the inconsiderate parker?

by Jason

Tuesday July 29, 2008, 1:18 PM

Local blogger Dave Lozo has come up with his No. 1 (and No. 2) most irritating things about living in Hoboken (he uses language quite a bit saltier than that).

It's not just the difficulty of getting a parking spot - though it is certainly difficult - but rather the not-so-nice people (again, his words are bit stronger) who intentionally take up two spots just so no one will bump their car. And he's got photographs to illustrate the point.

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Yet another danger of parking in Hoboken

by Amy

Tuesday July 22, 2008, 9:09 AM

Police arrested a man early Saturday morning after a witness spotted him and a companion jumping on the hoods of at least three cars parked on the 300 block of Adams Street, police said.

The witness spotted them just before 2:30 a.m. and called police, but when they arrived the men, and two others who were with them booked, police said.

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But the spot was RIGHT in front of City Hall ...

by Amy

Friday July 18, 2008, 3:15 PM

Amy Sara Clark / Hoboken NowI'm sorry I hit him, but just look at where the spot was ...

Two men were brought to police headquarters after getting into a fistfight over a parking space.

It may seem excessive, but the spot, after all, was right in front of City Hall -- during rush hour!!

On Wednesday at 5:17 p.m. police were flagged down to break up a fight over a parking space, police said.

The 23-year-old from Jersey City got his lip bloodied, the 38-year-old from Hoboken was apparently unscathed, police said.

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5 GPS devices stolen over July 4th weekend

by Amy

Thursday July 10, 2008, 12:43 PM

Patty MitchellAt night, a GPS left on acts like "a billboard flashing: 'Come break into this car and steal me,'" said Lt. Charles Campbell, a Hoboken Police spokesman.

There was a rash of thefts of GPS navigation systems over the July 4 weekend, with at least five units stolen, police said.

Now, one of these motorists was a from Virginia, and another from "no need to lock your doors at night" Congers, N.Y., but the rest were from Hudson County and should know better already.

The cops keep saying it, but the thieves keep finding them, beckoning from people's dashboards, so it's worth mentioning again: Do not leave your GPS units in your cars. Not only will the unit get stolen, but you'll have to repair a broken window as well. (And hey it's not like you have to lug around an entire radio like in the '80s, just slip it in your pocket or purse.)

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Why was the Hoboken Parking Utility head banned from the NYSE?

by Amy

Wednesday July 09, 2008, 8:22 AM

REENA ROSE SIBAYANHoboken Parking Utility Director John Corea uses his 1969 Chevy Corvette to show off the revamped robotic garage on Jan. 24, 2008.

The director of the Hoboken Parking Utility, who is a figure in the investigation of at least $582,352 in missing revenues, is no stranger to lengthy and intensive probes.

In 1993, John Corea was permanently barred from working at the New York Stock Exchange for trading so improper, one NYSE official called it "egregious."

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Is the Hoboken Parking Utility under investigation?

by Amy

Thursday June 19, 2008, 1:32 AM

REENA ROSE SIBAYANHoboken Parking Utility Director John Corea uses his 1969 Chevy Corvette to show off the revamped robotic garage on Jan. 24, 2008.

The City Council meeting went into closed session tonight in order for it to discuss, among other things, "potential litigation involving United Textile Manufacturers," according to Hoboken Corporation Counsel Steve Kleinman.

As indicated by the name, United Textile Manufactures is a company that collects the coins from parking meters and video games. Hoboken hired them in 2005 to collect revenues from the city''s parking meters. But more than a half a million dollars didn't make it from the meters to Hoboken's coffers, and the city fired them a few months ago.

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Are parking meters free on weekends?

by Carly

Friday June 13, 2008, 9:01 AM

Carly/Hoboken NowThose pesky little meters....

Ahh, just in time for the weekend! A Hoboken Now reader sent us the following question:

Are parking meters free on Sunday in Hoboken? or even Saturday? Thanks

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Parking vigilante strikes again

by Craig

Friday June 06, 2008, 10:00 AM

Jimmy Justice was interviewed on Opie and Anthony yesterday, talking about his numerous YouTube videos of New York City parking enforcement vehicles parked in front of fire hydrants and in "no parking" zones. Jimmy will sometimes catch cops coming back from decidedly "unofficial business" - as in the video above, where the sergeant is apparently returning after going to the bank.

Police cars and municipal vehicles parked illegally or even double-parked are practically the norm in Hoboken, as has been frequently documented here on Hoboken Now and at Hoboken411. (You can also see plenty more examples at UncivilServants.org.)

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Come to Hoboken... see our garage!

by Craig

Monday June 02, 2008, 9:47 AM

A developer is pitching an automated garage for Yonkers, N.Y., but the city's parking authority would like to see one in action before voting on the proposal, the Journal News reported today. So they're coming to Hoboken!

We can save you the trip... check out this slideshow by The Jersey Journal's Reena Rose Sibayan of the robotic garage at 916 Garden St.:

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Fourth graders to council: too many cars in Hoboken

by Amy

Thursday May 22, 2008, 7:08 PM

Amy Sara Clark / The Jersey JournalNicole Aarts, shares the findings of her class that most people surveyed admitted to double parking some of the time.

A fourth grade class from All Saints Episcopal Day School presented their own research on what needs to be fixed in Hoboken at tonight's City Council meeting.

The biggest problem? Too many cars, they found based on surveys and interviews. And, according to their findings, 57 percent admitted to double parking. However 86 percent said they've never gotten a ticket for double parking.

"Either the people are not being honest, or the police are not giving out enough tickets," reported Nicole Aarts, one of 12 students who presented the findings.

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Good example, officer

by Lysa

Sunday May 11, 2008, 4:49 PM

Everyone knows parking in Hoboken is crazy. Trying to find a good spot is near impossible, and sometimes double-parking is just unavoidable.

...Even if you're a police officer.

Lysa Chen/Hoboken NowSeveral vehicles, including a cop car, double-parked on the 600-block of Washington Street. Hope the cop doesn't ticket the rest when he gets back!

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Missing money in the Hoboken Parking Utility

by Carly

Saturday April 19, 2008, 11:11 AM

Carly/Hoboken NowSome funny business with the Hoboken parking meters?

And people wonder why Hoboken has a budget crisis.

Aside from property taxes, parking meter collection is one of Hoboken's biggest revenue sources. But for a two-year period between 2005 and 2007, Hoboken was owed almost $600,000 dollars from a South Jersey company it hired to run its parking meter collection. The city is now looking to collect interest on that money.

In Dec. 2005, Hoboken hired Toms River-based United Textile Fabricators to collect their parking meter coins and return the money to the City. Almost immediately, Hoboken's parking meter revenue dropped. According to an internal audit from the Hoboken Parking Utility, in Nov. 2005, the city made $115,512.82 from the meters; UTF took over the next month and only handed in only $74,470.00.

Under UTF, meter revenue was consistent some months, other times it dropped significantly. For example, in July 2006 UTF handed the city $34,206, down from the over $100,000 the city collected that same month a year before. And in August of 2005, UTF only gave Hoboken $15,975, down markedly from the $123,000 the city made that same month in 2005.

It didn't cost any less to park in Hoboken ($1/hour); Hoboken just wasn't getting its due.

All in all, by October 2007 Hoboken was owed $582,352.39 in money UTF reported that it collected but never transferred over to the city's coffers.

More after the jump!

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More trouble at robotic garage?

by Carly

Wednesday April 16, 2008, 11:46 AM

How exactly does the automatic parking garage work? Here's a photo slideshow from Jersey Journal photographer Reena Rose Sibayan as to how the Garden Street garage parks cars - without dropping them, of course.

Hoboken Now got a tip this morning that "there was another car falling off the rails at the 916 Garden Street garage a little over a day ago."

So we called Hoboken Parking Director John Corea and got the full story:

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$10 more to park in Hoboken municipal garages

by Carly

Friday February 08, 2008, 9:00 AM

It just got more expensive to park in Hoboken.

The City Council voted Wednesday night to raise parking rates in municipal garages by $10 a month for residents and $50 a month for reserved spaces for nonresidents, reports today's Jersey Journal.

The measure also raises daily rates from $4 to $7 for one hour. Where parking was $7 for up to three hours, it will become $10 for up to two hours. The rate for up to eight hours will rise from $15 to $17, and from $25 to $26 for up to 12 hours.

According to the Journal, these increases for daily and monthly rates are expected to generate $720,000 in additional revenue for the city. The new rates go into effect on March 1.

More on the parking increase after the jump!

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Council raises parking rates in municipal garages

by Amy

Wednesday February 06, 2008, 10:56 PM

The council voted to raise parking rates in municipal garages at tonight's meeting.

It was approved 7 to 2 with Councilman Michael Russo and Council President Theresa Castellano voting against it.

Castellano argued strongly against the rate hikes,

"This is the kind of resolution I want to rip it up and toss it in the garbage," she said.

"I don't mind commuters, I don't mind the residents, but it's very disingenuous to whack our residents again," she said, referring to the previous $25 hike.

Councilwoman Terry LaBruno argued for it, saying that it wasn't fair that certain garages were subsidized while other people had to pay $300 a month.

(Rate changes after the jump.)

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How does the automated garage work?

by Carly

Friday January 25, 2008, 10:57 AM

Curious as to how Hoboken's automatic parking garage works? I was. Here's a photo slideshow from Jersey Journal photographer Reena Rose Sibayan as to how the Garden Street garage parks cars - without dropping them, of course.

And here's an article from Journal reporter Amy Sara Clark about yesterday's official re-opening of the garage.

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City officials at ribbon cutting: robotic garage won't drop your car

by Amy

Thursday January 24, 2008, 11:59 AM

REENA ROSE SIBAYANParking Utility Director John Corea's 1969 Chevy Corvette is moved by the robotic garage during a demonstration, Jan. 24, 2008.

The city held an official ribbon cutting ceremony today for its automated garage, and officials made a pretty good case that this time, it won't drop your car.

The garage, notorious for dropping three cars in as many years, reopened in October. But today the city officially took over control of it from Unitronics, the company that re-designed it to prevent future mishaps.

If you haven't tried the garage, it basically works like this: you drive your car onto a robo-pallet. Robo-sensors tell you it's in the right place. Then you walk over to the robo-keypad and type in your pin. Then the machine lifts your car up and puts it into a space.

When you want your car back, you type in the pin and the car is delivered in two or three minutes. Best yet, once the computer learns your schedule, you can get your ride in "seconds," said John Corea, director of Hoboken's Parking Utility.

Corea explained the changes in the technology that make the garage safer. (But to find out why, you need to click the link below)

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Automated garage ribbon cutting tomorrow

by Carly

Wednesday January 23, 2008, 2:05 PM

Want to celebrate the re-opening of Hoboken's troubled automated garage?

Pamela Suchy/The Jersey JournalDa Dum... Da Dum... Da Dum... Is it safe to go back in the garage? (That's supposed to be "Jaws" music.)

Unitronics, together with the Mayor Dave Roberts, would like to invite you to the grand opening ceremony of the Hoboken City Automated Parking Facility on 916 Garden Street. The event will take place on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 starting at 10 a.m., with the official ribbon cutting ceremony to be conducted by Mayor Roberts. The grand opening marks the unveiling of the largest automated parking facility built to date in the U.S. market.

The Hoboken Parking Utility is currently accepting renewal applications for garage spots. As of Feb. 15, 2008, all remaining spots will be offered to the general public. To find out more, you can contact the HPU at (201) 653-1919 or e-mail at 916garden@hobokennj.org.

Let's hope the "improved" garage doesn't drop any more cars!

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Controversial handicapped parking notices in Hoboken?

by Carly

Saturday January 19, 2008, 10:25 AM

Handicapped drivers in Hoboken got this notice on their cars yesterday morning, telling them they are required to "fill the meter up the maximum time allowed two (2) hours....failure to satisfy the original meter obligation will result in a prohibited parking fine."

However, a Hoboken Now reader pointed out the "one-coin" rule, where putting just one coin in the meter gets a handicapped driver 24 hours, sans ticket. A spokesman from the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission confirmed he's heard of such a rule, but he wasn't sure if it's an actual law - or if it could hold any weight while arguing a parking ticket in court.

Has anyone else heard of the "one-coin rule?" Have any handicapped parkers actually gotten away with it in Hoboken?

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How to avoid a parking ticket

by Carly

Wednesday January 16, 2008, 1:43 PM

Spotted on Newark Street this morning. Well, that's one way to avoid getting a parking ticket in Hoboken.

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Robotic ribbon-cutting on Jan. 24

by Craig

Tuesday January 15, 2008, 5:16 PM

Pamela Suchy / The Jersey JournalThe robotic garage at 916 Garden St. in Hoboken.

If you've been watching the soap opera that is the Hoboken City Automated Parking Facility on 916 Garden St. - aka the robotic garage - here comes the thrilling conclusion.

We hope.

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Free parking for Christmas?

by Carly

Wednesday December 19, 2007, 3:32 PM

Hoboken Now heard that the city of North Bergen put hoods on top of all the parking meters in town this week, so residents wouldn't have to pay for parking as a holiday gift. Hmm, wouldn't that be a nice Christmas-y idea for Hoboken, Mayor Roberts? Keep dreaming!

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Nino Giacchi ticks off Stevens students

by Carly

Saturday November 03, 2007, 3:09 PM

More news from Stevens Institute of Technology: Stevens Institute students are bristling at Sixth Ward City Councilman Nino Giacchi's mandate to them last week: "Prove you're a resident of Hoboken with documents that have to be done to show that you truly are a resident," when asked why Stevens students could not get residential parking tags.

The grammar of Giacchi's statement aside, Stevens kids (like everyone else in town) have been complaining about Hoboken parking for some time now. And it looks like they won't be getting results any time soon.

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Think parking a Hummer in Hoboken is hard?

by Craig

Monday October 29, 2007, 9:33 AM

AP File Photo

Why anyone would try to drive one of these monsters through anything but a battle zone is a mystery, let alone through a congested city like Hoboken. The grand daddy of them all, the Hummer H1, is 101 inches wide - as a comparison, the Honda Civic is 66 inches wide. Imagine trying to make a right turn at Third and Bloomfield in that behemoth, let alone parallel parking!

But the Wall Street Journal may have found an even crazier place to try and drive a Hummer: Tokyo!

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No more towing? Not really

by Craig

Thursday October 25, 2007, 9:45 AM

Jersey Journal file photo/Reena Rose SibayanA tow truck from Danny's Towing makes its rounds last year through the strip mall near the Newport Mall.

Hey, it happens - you're in a rush, you can't find a spot on the street, but hey, look at all those spots in the parking lot for that fast food restaurant (or bank or drug store or supermarket). You think: "How will they know I went somewhere else? I'll just be a minute." And you come back and find your car hooked up to a tow truck. You ask the driver to let you off the hook (literally) and he says sure - pay me! A hundred bucks, or two hundred, or whatever he wants - he's got your car. Either pay up now or go get it tomorrow, and possibly pay even more money with towing and storage fees and fines.

It's a scenario that has been repeated many times in Hoboken and Jersey City (most notoriously in the Shop Rite parking lot near the Newport Mall), and also Montclair and Morristown. Well, Hoboken's own Gov. Jon Corzine signed a bill yesterday addressing the issue - but not, alas, outlawing it.

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Finally... a car built for Hoboken!

by Craig

Monday October 08, 2007, 4:24 PM

AP Photo/Yuri KageyamaThe Pivo 2 from Nissan is a battery-powered car with wheels that can pivot 90 degrees and a driver's cabin that can spin around completely.

Reuters has a story today about a concept car from Nissan that has a rotating cabin and wheels that can turn 90 degrees. Perfect for parallel parking in Hoboken!

The Pivo 2 is a battery-powered, bubble-shaped three-seater with an onboard computer that monitors the driver's facial expressions and will alert the driver if he appears to be seized by road rage or dozing behind the wheel. Can it make coffee, too?

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Are the robots ready to go back to work?

by Craig

Thursday October 04, 2007, 11:13 AM

The robotic parking garage on Garden Street may finally be ready to fully open this month, Hoboken Parking Utility Director John Corea told the City Council last night.

The Jersey Journal's Charles Hack has the story on Hudson County Now. It's been 10 months since those lazy robots have worked an honest day's work!

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Parking permits available for High Holy Days

by Craig

Thursday September 06, 2007, 3:30 PM

If you're going to the United Synagogue of Hoboken for the upcoming Jewish holidays, ask at the temple about getting a parking permit.

The Hoboken Parking Utility has issued permits to the synagogue and to other places of worship that need them, HPU Director John Corea said.

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Hoboken envied for its parking

by Carly

Wednesday July 25, 2007, 11:10 AM

Not something you read every day, huh?

But today's Wall Street Journal sings the praises of fully-automated parking garages, of which there are only three in the nation. And yup, the first was built in Hoboken in 2002.

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Look out for garage thieves!

by Craig

Monday July 02, 2007, 4:08 PM

Nice rack.

No, they're not stealing garages, but rather using a daring technique to slip inside and make off with bikes, Hoboken cops told The Jersey Journal's Lysa Chen.

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Parking's a Pain

by Carly

Thursday June 21, 2007, 3:51 PM

Spotted. 12:30 p.m. today outside the Qdoba at 4th and Washington.

A UPS truck illegally double parked on Washington for about ten minutes. At midday, the street was packed and several passerbys warned the driver to re-locate. He really did have a lot to unload and....

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