Christie Brinkley's son, Donna Karan's son-in-law want to bring rideshare service to Palm Beach
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A New York City-based rideshare service launched by the son of model Christie Brinkley and son-in-law of fashion designer Donna Karan could debut on the island in December.
If approved by the Town Council, Rove, an app-based micro-mobility company headed by Jack Brinkley-Cook and Gianpaolo de Felice, would offer free rides throughout Palm Beach from Dec. 1 through the end of April, Town Council member Lew Crampton told the Daily News Thursday.
"We're very fortunate to come into contact with a program already in effect," said Crampton, who has been seeking solutions to the town's parking challenges through his work with the Business and Administrative Committee. "This program will be a great contribution to the quality of life in our town."
Rove, which utilizes a fleet of Tesla electric vehicles, currently operates in the communities of Montauk, East Hampton and Sag Harbor on New York's Long Island, but would shift to Aspen, Colorado, and Palm Beach for the winter season.
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De Felice will present Rove's business plan to the council Tuesday during its regular meeting at Town Hall.
If approved, the new service would fulfill one element of a seven-point plan created to address the town's long-standing parking woes, Crampton said.
The plan, which was approved by the council in May, was created by the Business and Administrative Committee after months of discussion and input from residents and business owners.
It includes elements such as pre-paid parking stickers for residents; paid parking expansion using the ParkMobile app; more free half-hour parking spaces; transit options for customers and employees; new parking signage; a new parking facility in the business district; and valet parking on Worth Avenue and South County Road.
Crampton said Rove was an attractive option for the town because residents do not pay a fee to utilize the service, and there are no costs to the town.
The company generates revenue by covering its cars in advertising, Crampton said, though the ads would be "tasteful."
"We told them we're not looking for any garish representations of 'Eat at Joe's' in psychedelic colors riding our streets," Crampton said.
In promotional material provided to the town, Brinkley-Cook and de Felice said their company is "revolutionizing the ridesharing experience by combining cutting-edge technology with sustainability and safety."
"With an entire fleet of Teslas, we offer a zero-emission and ecofriendly transportation option that prioritizes the well-being of our passengers and the planet," they wrote.
Rove will be the second free rideshare service operating on the island.
Circuit, which provides free rides around town and into downtown West Palm Beach, launched in October 2021 with a pilot program.
Its operations are funded by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and Brightline, but the town contributed $30,000 toward a six-week pilot program earlier this year in an effort to improve transportation on the island while reducing parking demand.
The pilot program ended in May, but service continues on the island.
"It'll continue to run as it has," Crampton said of Circuit, which utilizes electric 'buggies' rather than Teslas. "It will continue to be operated by the DDA and other folks. We won't be sponsoring it."
Also Tuesday, the council will:
Hear a presentation on the town-wide undergrounding project
Evaluate alternatives to relocate garbage and recycling pickup at Lake Drive Park
Vote on a proposed ordinance that allows the Town Clerk's office to revise its permit procedures
Discuss public participation at future public meetings
Council members will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Town Hall for their regular meeting, and at 5:01 p.m. for a budget hearing. The council also will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for development review.
Members of the public can participate in person or via Zoom webinar. Those wishing to make public comments virtually can access the Zoom link on the town's Meeting Audio page.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Rideshare service with celebrity connection likely for Palm Beach
