New London modernizing Downtown parking process with Scan and Pay program

The New London Parking Authority is introducing a new parking plan intended to increase access to downtown businesses, reduce the cost of parking enforcement, and modernize the paid parking process by transitioning to a cashless scan and pay system.

Parking is overseen by the Parking Authority in partnership with LAZ Parking, the company that operates the Water Street Garage and enforces parking regulations.

The new Scan and Pay cashless system, which is becoming common in downtowns and is intended to make the visitor experience more convenient and modern, will go into effect Oct. 1.

Parking meters will be removed prior to implementation. Signs at each parking spot along  streets in the Downtown Cultural District and in parking lots will display a QR code that drivers will scan to be directed to a secure website for payment. There will be no need to download a parking app.

Parking spots along Bank Street, between State and Howard streets, and all of State Street will be reserved for business customers and visitors.

Downtown business owners and their employees will be prohibited from parking on Bank and State streets during business hours, with exceptions made only for documented ADA accessibility needs and designated delivery service vehicles.

Business owners and employees will be allowed to park free on nearby streets with tags to be distributed to registered businesses by the Parking Authority.

“Maintaining parking meters has become more expensive and parts are harder to find,” said Felix Reyes, Director of Development Planning, who now oversees the Parking Authority for the City. “The scan and pay system has been in use in other downtowns for years already, providing an easy way to pay for parking, and we want our visitors to have this same convenient experience instead of fumbling for coins.”

Other advantages for the City include reduced costs for producing, installing and maintaining QR code signage as opposed to parking meter maintenance. Advantages for the public, in addition to a cashless system, include the option to save their license plate information and preferred payment method on the website for faster, repeat visits.

LAZ Parking will officially launch the Scan and Pay program on Oct. 1. Downtown parking striping and space demarcation has already begun to prepare all zones ahead of the transition.

The Downtown Employee Parking Program begins July 1 with clearly designated, affordable, and ticketing-free parking options during the transition to the full Scan and Pay system.

Downtown Cultural District business owners and employees will be required to register their vehicles with the Parking Authority through LAZ Parking before the Oct. 1 start of the Scan and Pay system to ensure continuity of their parking benefits and incentive rates.

Each business will be granted up to 5 employee parking passes before payroll documentation is required to verify additional employees. Once registered, each employee will receive a dated hang tag to be displayed from the vehicle’s rear-view mirror while parked in designated employee zones. A detailed parking map identifying all approved employee parking locations will be provided to every registered business.

This is a pilot program for Downtown workers in effect until the Scan and Pay system is fully implemented and employee vehicles are registered within it. All current employee parking hang tags will be honored through the full implementation of the Scan and Pay system.

LAZ Parking will provide direct assistance to businesses during the registration process.