Bangor parking committee weighs paid street parking, garage upgrades and enforcement

At a meeting on May 11, the Downtown Bangor Parking Committee discussed results from a recent public outreach event and explored a range of measures to improve downtown parking use and turnover, including clearer signage, targeted lighting, enforcement changes, pricing adjustments and a potential paid on-street program.

Committee Chair Joseph Leonard opened the discussion by summarizing public feedback gathered at the outreach event and asking members to identify actionable items to bring back to staff. Planning analyst Matt Aliro and other staff presented the outreach summary: attendees most commonly cited confusion about wayfinding, inconsistent time limits on curbside spaces and lack of awareness of off-street garages as reasons they avoid the deck during some visits.

Members focused first on signage and navigation. Several committee members described drivers getting trapped at the first garage entrance and then finding permitted signs on upper levels that make the deck appear unavailable. Staff and private-sector members recommended better directional signs approaching the garage and clearer internal wayfinding so visitors know which level to use and…