Hoffmann suspends Avon parking enforcement following Town Council criticism
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily
Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate has suspended all parking monitoring and enforcement activities at its Avon properties following growing public criticism and action by the Avon Town Council over controversial private parking fees.
The move comes after the Avon Town Council last week approved an emergency ordinance requiring clearer disclosure of parking penalties on private lots after residents, visitors and business owners raised concerns about citations issued by a private parking enforcement company.
In a statement, Rachel Berkowitz, vice president of marketing and communications for Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, said the company acted after reviewing feedback presented during the council meeting.
“Following Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, we carefully considered the feedback shared regarding recent parking enforcement and the frustrations it has caused,” Berkowitz said. “While parking enforcement had been managed by a third-party vendor, we took immediate action. Effective June 10, all parking monitoring and enforcement activities were suspended.”
Berkowitz said the company provided an update to the Avon Town Council during its June 10 meeting regarding the change.
Support Local Journalism
The suspension appears to bring an end, at least for now, to a parking enforcement program that had drawn criticism from community members who said citations and associated fees were harming local businesses and creating confusion for visitors.
According to Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, the company’s original objective was to ensure parking availability for businesses operating within its properties and their customers. The company acknowledged that community concerns prompted a reassessment of the program.
“At Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, we are committed to delivering and maintaining best-in-class service across our portfolio,” Berkowitz said. “As we shared in March, our intent with parking in Avon has always been to ensure accessible, convenient parking for the businesses within our buildings and their patrons. While we recognize that we did not meet expectations in this instance, our commitment to the town, its residents, and its visitors remains as strong as ever.”
The company also communicated the suspension directly to tenants in a June 10 letter, stating that it had reviewed feedback regarding parking enforcement and taken “immediate action.”
In the letter, Hoffmann said that while enforcement had been managed by a third-party vendor, “all parking monitoring and enforcement have been suspended.”
