Management switch to save on parking

The contract includes the deck, city-owned parking lots, on-street parking and enforcement.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Beginning Jan. 1, a new company will operate the municipal Franklin Street parking deck and it is expected to save about $20,000 annually, city officials said.
In September, the city notified Cicchillo Development of Warren that it had accepted the company's bid to manage the city's parking spaces and downtown Franklin Street parking deck and to enforce parking ordinances.
Cicchillo submitted the low bid of $278,525 for three years. That amount is a discounted cost because it includes both the deck and the enforcement service, said Michael Keys, executive director of Warren Redevelopment and Planning.
Companies had the option of bidding on the deck, enforcement or both. Cicchillo offered the discounted price if it was awarded the contract for both.
What's covered
The city owns the lot behind the post office, one on West Market Street, and about 10 or 15 metered parking spots near the 11th District Court of Appeals building. The contract covers those lots as well as about 300 on-street parking spots and the deck.
Cicchillo Development already manages the lots and on-street parking and parking enforcement for the city.
The Franklin Street deck formerly was under the management of Kleese Development Associates of Warren. Kleese's contract expired several months ago but had been extended on a monthly basis.
Because Kleese Development owns the parking deck property, the company had the opportunity to match what the city determined was the lowest and best bid.
Mayor Hank Angelo said that's why the contract wasn't awarded earlier. The city asked Kleese to provide documentation to the city if it offered to match the bid. He said the company didn't provide the documentation so the city awarded the contract to Cicchillo.
Losing money
Earlier this year, officials said the city was losing about $24,000 per year on the parking deck.
"The city will be saving about $20,000 annually," Keys said.
Under the contract, Cicchillo Development is responsible for collection of monthly, hourly and daily parking fees, upkeep of equipment and the deck's general maintenance.
The company also is responsible for collecting parking fees and coins from parking meters and equipment upkeep in the lots and on-street spots, and for enforcing parking ordinances.