Some business owners, shoppers want free holiday parking in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - During the holiday season, it is difficult to find a parking spot in Northampton, but sometimes what's even more difficult is fishing for quarters to feed the parking meter. That’s why some downtown merchants are hoping to make parking free during the holiday season.

Under the city’s parking rules, you can get a parking spot for 75 cents per hour. You can only stay in that spot for two hours before you have to move.

A group of business owners recently asked city officials to waive parking rules on Black Friday, fearing that people would avoid shopping in Northampton due to the parking situation.

The Northampton Transportation and Parking Commission decided against it, but many shoppers told 22News they wish the city made an exception just for Friday.

“I've driven around this block a million times, late for work, stressed out, frustrated. It's a great place to walk around and shop, but you have to worry about it, two hours hanging over your head and having to try to move your car, having to try to find another spot,” Jenna Ziemba of Hadley said.

A couple alternatives avoid parking headaches downtown: the parking garage costs just 50 cents per hour, and if you live nearby, you can always walk to Main Street.