Nov. 27, 2007 — Workers and visitors to Charlotte Amalie got a rare gift of free parking Tuesday in the Fort Christian Parking Lot, compliments of Scotiabank, according to a news release from the bank.
"For the first time in history, downtown businesses and shoppers had pre-paid, sponsored parking all day, a value of up to $6 per car," the release said. "Uniformed employees, balloons and prizes welcomed happy parkers as they hurried for a free spot."
Scotiabank offered free parking to launch a contest in which the winner will get a free downtown parking spot for a year.
"One of the biggest issues for downtown businesses and shoppers is parking," said Jeff McNeil, Scotiabank's general manager of branch banking. "We can make this easier for one person for a year with a free parking space, and we can make it easier for everyone downtown at least for one day."
Anyone can enter to win the free parking spot free of charge by visiting the Scotiabank Waterfront branch and completing an entry form. A finalist will be drawn from weekly entries, and a grand prize winner drawn on Dec. 21. The winner will park for free in the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union parking lot adjoining the Fort Christian Lot from Dec. 21, 2007, through Dec. 20, 2008.
"Parking downtown can be challenging, but banking downtown is easy," said Steve Gardner, Scotiabank Waterfront manager. "We have free checking and now free parking. We want to make a statement to the community, and this is a way to reach hundreds of drivers."
