City Council to vote on $1.9 million fix for Garden St. garage

December 04, 2006 JJ

HOBOKEN - The City Council will vote Wednesday whether to award a $1.9 million contract to Unitronics, Inc. to fix problems with the automated garage at 916 Garden St.

If approved, the Massachusetts-based firm will be contracted to fix mechanical, electronic and software problems to make the troubled garage run smoothly.

"This measure will significantly decrease monthly maintenance fees, while significantly increasing safety, efficiency and revenues," Mayor David Roberts said.

Hoboken Parking Utility Director John Corea said the city will own and operate the garage once it is fixed.

Florida-based Robotic Parking Systems, Inc. - the company that designed the software and machinery that slides cars in and out of the 314 parking spaces in the garage - had a falling out with the city after asking that its monthly contract with the city increase from $2,600 to $9,000.

The city kicked out Robotic Parking and brought in Unitronics, but the company was ordered out after Robotic Parking sued.

The meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 94 Washington St., Hoboken, with a caucus starting at 6 p.m.