Downtown Nyack will see a major parking overhaul take effect later this month.
Beginning May 15, paid-parking will shift to a new schedule: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Currently, parking runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and costs 75-cents an hour. When the change takes effect, the fee for seven evening hours will be $5.30, and can be paid in advance.
The overhaul was , in an effort to "create a kinder, gentler Nyack" and aid local businesses. Under the new hours, residents will be able to run morning errands and enjoy a local dinner without rushing to the meter, she said.
The hours may also have an impact on the Main Street bar scene; late-night revelers will now have to pay for spots into the early hours of the morning.
(Read what local merchants think of the change .)
Laird-White said the shift is not aimed at raising more revenue for the village, although it could end up bringing in $175,000 more annually, after factoring in expenses.
The new hours will encompass Broadway from First Avenue to Cedar Hill Avenue, and Main Street from Mill Street to Broadway.
Residents and parking offenders will not have to worry about tickets being dished out straight away—for the first two weeks, flyers will be passed out instead of fines. The village will fully update its signage prior to the changeover, as well.
"We will encourage nighttime businesses to purchase parking permits for resident lots to avoid on street parking by their employees," officials added.
The village has published an FAQ on its website, which addresses concerns like possible threats to parking enforcement officers' safety.
"Our parking enforcement officers are currently on the street starting at 3 a.m.," the mayor writes. "The new plan would have them begin work several hours earlier which is a less volatile time according to court and police records."
"That said, every method for protecting them is being put in place," she adds. " supports this plan and will provide aid to enforcement officers, as they have always done should it be necessary. Late-night parking enforcement officers will work in pairs."
