In an act of contrition to downtown business owners who were impacted by a days-long power outage — and in an effort to lure customers to the area’s restaurants and businesses — Long Beach will be offering free downtown street parking Friday through Sunday.
“We know that the power outage negatively affected all who call downtown Long Beach home, including our businesses that contribute to a thriving downtown,” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “By having a parking meter holiday, we are encouraging everyone to come shop, eat and enjoy all that downtown Long Beach has to offer.”
Until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, motorists can park at on-street parking meters without paying. However, the two-hour limits at the meters, along with 24- minute limits in green zones, will still be enforced. Limits will also be enforced at red, white, yellow and blue curbs.
City Place garages will continue to be free for the first two hours.
Businesses in the downtown area were disrupted — with many simply shutting down — following a July 15 explosion in a Southern California Edison underground electrical vault. Thousands of Edison customers were left without power by the outage, which stretched into last weekend.
Some residents said the outage left them with spoiled food in their non- operative refrigerators.
City officials said they hope the free-parking offer will help lure customers back to area restaurants and businesses.
“We came together as a community during the crisis, and it’s time we come together again and bring our dollars downtown,” Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal said.
—City News Service