LOS ANGELES, Nov 27, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz and the West 3rd Street Business Association will launch a ground-breaking public valet service tomorrow (Saturday, November 28).

Organizers hope the service revolutionizes parking on West 3rd, a street famous for trendy boutiques, gourmet shops and cutting-edge restaurants, stretching from La Cienega Boulevard to Fairfax Avenue.

"Customers have told us, we love your street, but we don't love the parking situation," said Deborah Wolsh, owner of Ethel Boutique. "So we and the Office of Councilman Koretz created this service to make it as easy as possible for our customers and neighbors."

The program seeks to remedy concerns among local officials that some parking operators may be creating problems for customers, businesses and neighbors. "Unfortunately, some valets have abused the public parking meters and loading spaces. This causes congestion, hazardous conditions and frustration from customers searching for parking on nearby streets. The new service is going to make parking easier for motorists, and life better for local residents," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, 5th District.

The Business Association selected former luxury hotel General Manager Brad Saltzman and his company Regent Hospitality Parking to operate the valet service because of Regent's strong customer service record and demonstrated ability to foster excellent relationships between parking-intensive businesses and nearby residential communities.

The public valet parking will begin tomorrow from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (time will vary by location) and operate only Saturday and Sundays through December 20th. The program will launch full time, seven days per week soon after the New Year. The stations will be located in the following areas of West 3rd Street:

   
   SOUTH SIDE OF THE STREET
   STATION 1
   Between Orlando & Kings
   11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
   
   NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET
   STATION 3
   Between La Jolla & Kilkea near The Little Door, El Carmen and soon to
   open Doughboys
   11 a.m. till midnight on Saturdays; 10 p.m. on Sundays
   
   STATION 4
   Between Edinburgh & Fairfax
   11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
   
   NORTH SIDE:
   
   STATION 2
   Between Orlando & Croft
   11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
   
   

The valet parking service charge will be $3.50 until 5:00 p.m. which is less than the charge for two hours at most area parking meters. These rates are roughly 30 to 50 percent less than the existing, independent valet services currently operating in the area.

Neighboring businesses such as the Beverly Connection and the Original Farmers Market are generously providing support for the program launch.

SOURCE West 3rd Street Business Association

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