Binghamton City Council Approves Free Saturday Parking Pilot Program for July

Binghamton City Council has approved a pilot program to offer free parking at municipal ramps and metered street parking every Saturday in July, aiming to boost local business during the slow summer months. The initiative, which was discussed during the City Council Work Session on July 1, 2025, responds to feedback from downtown businesses that cited parking fees as a barrier to customer patronage.

Council members highlighted that July is typically the slowest month for businesses, particularly with students away for summer break. The resolution will waive parking fees at various locations, including Water Street, State Street, Holly Street, and Collier Street, to encourage foot traffic and support local shops.

"This came from my outreach to various small businesses in downtown," said a council member, noting that many expressed concerns about the difficulties customers face with parking kiosks and the need for change. The council hopes that by eliminating parking fees, more visitors will be drawn to the area, potentially increasing sales for local businesses.

The pilot program will be closely monitored, with plans to assess its success through feedback from business owners and ongoing parking studies. Metrics for success will include tracking garage usage and gathering perceptions from businesses about customer support during the initiative.

While some council members raised concerns about potential abuse of the free parking system, the overall sentiment was optimistic. The council plans to promote the program heavily through social media and local media outlets to maximize its impact.

If successful, the program could pave the way for similar initiatives in the future, potentially extending free parking to other dates later in the summer. The council is committed to evaluating the pilot's effectiveness and making adjustments as necessary to support Binghamton's downtown economy.