Newark raked in more than $1 million on parking fees in 2024 as the city continues working on making its business district more accessible for residents and visitors.
According to a report from Alderman’s Court No. 40, which is in Newark, the city collected $1,396,774.14 from January to November 2024. That is an increase of more than $105,000 from all of 2023. Mayor Jerry Clifton said the number of parking tickets is steady between both years, but the fines increased in 2024.
According to the report, the city made the most money off parking tickets in March, making over $158,000. It made more than $108,000 in January 2024, the lowest figure of the year.
According to city code, fines for parking violations at meters and on public spots are $70. Parking in a residential area where permits are required or in a No Parking Anytime zone without a city permit can result in an $80 fine.
These are tickets given out by the city of Newark on municipal land, not the University of Delaware’s campus, which takes up a significant chunk of the city and has its own police and parking system.
Any revenue made from parking goes to the city’s general fund and is not earmarked for specific projects or city departments. Clifton said it is up to the City Council and staff where revenue goes. It makes up a small portion of the city’s revenue, most of it coming from utility payments. The city budget for 2025 is around $124 million.
More: Newark City Council set to vote on budget with utility, tax increases
Free parking initiative launches in Newark on winter weekends
On Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays through Jan. 21, 2025, public parking on city-managed spaces and lots are free. UD’s winter session is in full swing, and many students are not on campus. The first day of classes for Blue Hens for the spring semester is Feb. 3, 2025.
Private lots and lots managed by the university are not affected.
The city is hoping to bring more people to its business district in its “off” seasons. Newark Director of Planning and Development Renee Bensley told Delaware Online/The News Journal in August while the program was being proposed that offering free parking through the end of the city’s Restaurant Week could be a way to maintain business throughout the entire year.
“If it turns out the way we think it does, and it drives more traffic downtown, then we will be looking to make that permanent in all of the offseason, so both summer and winter,” she said in August.
Shane Brennan covers New Castle County with a focus on Newark and surrounding communities. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Newark rakes in more than $1 million on parking fines