Anne Krieg, director of community and economic development, introduced a January parking study by consultant Sewell that analyzed downtown supply and demand and was conducted alongside a streetscape project.

Krieg said the study found a notable deficit in Zone 1 — roughly 1,141 estimated demand versus about 400 supply — and cautioned the report assumes static land use and does not capture seasonal peaks. “Zone 1 has a pretty massive deficit. It's, like, 1,141 demanded versus, like, the 400 supply that's there,” Krieg said.

Committee members raised concerns that Sewell's aggregate analysis counts private parking lots alongside public spaces and therefore can mask time-of-day availability. A Downtown Bangor Partnership representative argued there is an “overbuilt” supply of private, single-use parking and an underbuild of publicly accessible parking, which reduces options when office and residential uses peak at different times.

Members discussed several potential policy responses: shared-use agreements with private lot owners, revising permit leases to release unused daytime or nighttime spaces, targeted conversion of underused gated or leased lots to short-term public use, and preparing five- and ten-year parking plans tied to projected infill. Committee staff said they will invite Sewell to a future meeting to present the full analysis and scenarios of land-use increases.

No formal action was taken; committee members asked staff to circulate the full Sewell report and to return with detailed scenarios and recommendations.