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Downtown parking study finds peak crowding on Main Street but underused municipal lots; consultants recommend wayfinding and pilot strategies
Summary
A PAR Corporation study found that 70% of visitors arrive by car, on‑street usage hits about 80% at Friday‑evening peaks while some municipal lots remain underutilized; consultants urged better signage, coordinated valet zones, enforcement and winter listening sessions to guide short‑ and long‑term fixes.
PAR Corporation consultants presented a downtown (Hill & Harbor) parking study to the council, summarizing a July 2024 field inventory, drone counts and on‑street interviews with roughly 150 visitors.
Herman Peralta said the study area extends from Division Street to London Street and includes municipal and private lots. Data showed about 70% of visitors arrived by car; approximately half of on‑street parkers stay less than two hours, aligning with Main Street’s 2‑hour limit. On-street utilization in core Main Street blocks reached roughly 80% during peak Friday evening windows; by contrast, the larger municipal lot on Spring Street was underutilized, suggesting distance and wayfinding reduce use of available inventory.
Consultants and staff flagged operational issues: valet drop‑off and pick‑up block prime curb spaces, some lots appear leased or privately controlled, and public awareness of town-owned lots is low. Business owners told consultants they perceive limited parking even when capacity exists elsewhere. PAR recommended near‑term measures including clearer wayfinding signage to municipal lots, coordinated valet zones to consolidate drop‑offs, improved pavement markings, targeted enforcement to preserve turnover, and accessible‑parking improvements. Long‑term options include seasonal shuttle services, possible metered/paid parking during peak months, and one‑way conversion of some side streets to improve circulation.
The council asked for more granular survey breakdowns (for example, how many respondents raised each concern) and directed staff and consultants to schedule winter listening sessions and further online engagement, with an aim to return with ordinance and signage proposals in late winter or spring so any pilots could be in place for next season.
