Staff Report / August 19, 2026
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Drivers visiting Watkins Glen now have additional parking options along Franklin Street as the village opens pay-to-park lots at the former Maguire Car Dealership site.
While Maguire continues to own the property, the company established an agreement allowing the village to utilize the vacant lots for public parking. Under the agreement, the village will collect 65% of the parking revenue, with 35% going to Maguire until the land is sold or re-leased. Drivers are charged $10 per day via QR code signs located throughout the lots. Village Mayor Peter Cherock noted that the model leverages tourism to generate revenue for the Village General Fund without raising local property taxes.
Key details regarding village parking policies and pass options include:
- General Fund Revenue: Proceeds from the new Maguire lots and existing paid parking at Clute Park will fund municipal improvements across the village.
- Free Municipal Lots Maintained: Mayor Cherock reassured residents that free municipal parking will remain unchanged, confirming there are no plans to charge for parking in the municipal lots behind Famous Brands or the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.
- Clute Park Passes: Village residents can obtain parking passes to park at Clute Park, the boat launch, and the kayak launch without paying daily fees. Applications are available online or at Village Hall. Non-residents may also purchase seasonal passes.
- Pass Limitations: Village officials emphasized that Clute Park parking passes are not valid at the newly opened Maguire lots.
