Contact: Bill Campbell
Phone: (201) 420-2222
Email: bcampbell@hobokennj.org

-- Will Improve Safety, Efficiency and Quality of Life --

HOBOKEN, NJ, November 30th, 2006 -- The Hoboken City Council, on Wednesday, December 6th, will be asked to vote on a resolution to retrofit and permanently fix ongoing problems at the 316-space automated garage at 916 Garden Street.

The Council will vote on a $1.9 million contract award to Quincy, MA-based Unitronics, Inc. to replace and fix the mechanical, electrical and software components which have plagued the automated facility since its opening to customers nearly three years ago.

“This measure will significantly decrease monthly maintenance fees, while significantly increasing safety, efficiency and revenues,” said Mayor David Roberts. “Our goal is to provide a fully operational garage to serve our citizens and to serve as a major element in our quality of life campaign.

Rigorous specifications for the retrofit were developed through the efforts of the City Council’s Transportation Committee, Parking Consultant Leonard Bier, Mayor Roberts Business Administrator Richard England Parking Utility Director John Corea, Fifth Ward Councilman Michael T. Cricco, among others. This past July, the Council authorized a public Request For Qualifications (RFQ) with a due date of November 20th.

“Unitronics submitted the sole bid which met all the qualifications that will result in a fully functional garage with new software and equipment that will be totally owned and operated by the City,” said Director Corea.

Pending Council approval, the plan would call for the closure of the garage from December 15th to December 20th for the installation of temporary software to allow for a reopening while permanent repairs are made. The project is to be completed at the end of March, 2007.

The Council resolutions mandates at Unitronics not to be paid until three months after completion, a measure to ensure total reliability of integrity, operations and reliability.

“This ultimately will reduce our monthly obligations for repairs and allow us to accommodate more customers through a swift turnaround by the installation of a fully reliable elevator system that includes an equally reliable back-up elevator for added insurance,” said Director Corea.