EAST BRUNSWICK — The new Transportation and Commerce Center (TCC) is not only an upgrade from the previous commuter lot, but in some ways is even better than the Neilson Plaza, according to township Finance Director L. Mason Neely.
Speaking during last week’s Township Council meeting, Neely, who heads the township’s commuter parking utility, gave a brief presentation on the new TCC, which opened about six weeks earlier at Route 18 and Tices Lane. The $32 million, seven-story facility has 1,681 parking spaces, about 550 more than the old TCC commuter parking lot.
Neely addressed the safety issue, saying the new parking deck has higher ceilings and better visibility than Neilson, which is located further north on Route 18 at the Tower Center. Neely said there are also workers at the new TCC that make the facility safer.
“We always have people on site,” he said. There are security personnel in the lobby and within the parking deck, and security is there until 2 a.m., Neely said, adding that the facility is “fully protected.”
Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin said the parking deck has no pay phones, however, she related a story she was told about that a woman who had no functioning cell phone but needed to make an important call. Neely said there is no plan to get a public phone, and that if such phones do not get a certain volume of business, the phone company charges additional fees. He said a ticket agent is at the facility until 8 p.m., and will allow for emergency phone calls. In addition, the security guards have phones.
Neely said the facility is still selling permits and filling spots at the facility. For example, 185 additional monthly permits will be issued for December. Monthly permits are $25 for East Brunswick residents; $55 for nonresidents.
He said the township’s parking utility will be self-sufficient and will not have to rely on tax dollars to stay in business. He said those who use the town’s two parking decks will pay all of the debt associated with them.

