Downtown Binghamton Parking Garage Hourly Rates Double

People who work and shop in downtown Binghamton now are paying more to use city-owned parking ramps.

The cost to park an hour in the Water Street or State Street garages has jumped from one to two dollars. The rate for additional hours is one dollar with a $10 daytime maximum.

Monthly parking fees in the two ramps continue to rise. The monthly rate has been increased from $65 to $70. The new rates took effect on January 1.

Mayor Richard David said Binghamton parking rates "have been low for a very long period of time" compared to other cities in the state.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said "parking's at a premium."

The downtown business district lost 535 parking spaces when the crumbling Collier Street garage was closed in 2015. The Water Street ramp has 672 spaces and the State Street ramp has 590.

A new garage to be constructed on Hawley Street will provide about 300 more spaces. City officials hope that facility can be operational by the end of the year.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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