Lewiston staff propose removing quarter meters, adding free 2-hour and 15-minute spots and new wayfinding

Lewiston Mayor Carl Shaleen on Tuesday night heard a presentation from the city's economic and community development staff laying out a plan to remove aging quarter-operated meters in the downtown business district, replace them with time-limited free parking, and expand signage and marketing to promote underused public garages.

The proposal, led by Deputy Director John Blaze and Director Nate Libby, would remove about 215 on-street parking meters, reclassify much of downtown curb space into two-hour and 15-minute time-limited stalls, extend free garage hours and deploy new blue "Public Parking" wayfinding signs and QR-code information for visitors and business owners.

Blaze said the effort is meant to "unlock the power of free parking" and make in-downtown visits easier. Libby described the existing meters as "antiquated" and said staff must source parts on eBay; he told the council the goal is to move to time-enforcement (chalking and ticketing) rather than coin meters and to simplify the patchwork of 15-, 30-, 60- and 120-minute zones into a standard two-hour shopping/meal duration and 15-minute pickup spaces for takeout and delivery services.

Staff described a timeline in which the council would consider ordinance amendments and two readings in May and June; implementation work such as "bagging" or tagging inoperable meters would be handled by Public Works and meter removal would follow. Costs for materials to remove and cap or bag meters were estimated by staff at about $20,000; Public Works would supply staff time for removals. Staff also said bases and concrete footings may require additional engineering work before poles are removed.

Council members voiced several concerns during the question-and-answer portion. Councilor Gallant asked whether 15 minutes is sufficient for people with mobility limitations and for takeout activity; Councilor Roy and others suggested 30 minutes might be more practical. Multiple councilors raised enforcement capacity and logistics of switching from meter-checking to time-enforcement "chalking" and ticketing across the entire district. Councilor Harriman and others urged stronger wayfinding to direct visitors to garages, noting many drivers do not realize garages are public and free in evenings and weekends. Libby and Blaze said the administration plans an RFP for signage design/build and a marketing push with the Downtown Lewiston Association to publicize the changes.

Staff said the plan would not immediately add meter revenue; instead, they expect ticketing revenue from enforcement to offset lost meter income and described the approach as aiming for revenue neutrality. The proposal includes GIS maps showing proposed changes, targeted curb conversions (for example, changing some loading zones to 15-minute spots), and adjustments to parking garage rules (free parking weekends and earlier end to evening paid hours). Councilors asked staff to provide written answers to specific enforcement, accessibility and winter-parking questions before formal readings.

The city will return to the council with ordinance language and packet materials for the formal readings. Staff emphasized that the program pairs physical changes (meter removals and signage) with a marketing campaign so visitors know downtown parking is easier to use.

Ending: The council did not vote on the downtown parking package during the workshop; staff said they will send written responses to councilors' questions and bring formal amendments and supporting GIS maps to upcoming readings so members can consider ordinance language and enforcement details before any changes take effect.