City OKs winter night parking 1-year trial on downtown Bangor streets eyes convenience

BANGOR – Bangor is joining the ranks of Portland, Biddeford, Saco and Lewiston, Maine cities that allow on-street overnight parking on their downtown streets in the wintertime.

The move, approved by city councilors on Monday for a one-year trial period, is part of the city’s ongoing effort to make downtown more convenient for its residents.

According to Sally Bates, a city development officer who works closely with downtown businesses, the ability to park close to home during the winter is something downtown residents and landlords have sought for years.

The annual ban on overnight on-street parking, which runs from Nov. 1 through April 1, remains in effect for the rest of the city.

The change was among the recommendations of the city’s downtown parking advisory committee, headed this year by City Councilor Geoffrey Gratwick.

“If we are going to encourage people to live downtown, we’ve got to make it easier,” Suzanne Kelly, manager of four downtown apartment buildings, said.

“It’s particularly difficult for people with very young children,” Bates said. “And we’ve been, as a community, promoting a diversified population that we would hope lives downtown.”

The catch is that downtown residents who use the privilege will have to stay on the alert for snow clearing orders, during which they would have to find off-street parking spaces. Those who fail to do so face towing of their vehicles.

“Announcement systems have yet to be worked out perfectly,” Gratwick said. Possible methods of getting the word out about snow-clearing orders include announcements in the local media, postings on the city’s Web site, signage and a call-in telephone number.

The expected increase in towing was a concern for city officials, including Police Chief Don Winslow, Public Works Director Dana Wardwell and City Manager Edward Barrett.

Barrett expected a learning curve that likely will result in calls from irate residents, some of whom will assume their vehicles have been stolen.

Despite that, the three city administrators said they were willing to give the program a shot for a one-year trial. After that, the program will be revisited and either ended or extended.

“My only concern really is that we have plenty of notice given,” Winslow said.

Though the new downtown parking privilege was unanimously approved, some councilors remained unconvinced it was necessary.

Learning that the vacancy rate for downtown housing currently was “zero” prompted Councilor Richard Stone to comment.

“So, on-the-street parking isn’t such a hindrance, is it?” Stone said.

In other downtown parking changes, councilors voted to:

. Remove restrictions on resident permits for the Pickering Square parking garage. The current discounted $35 permits entitle holders to use the garage only on nights, weekends and holidays, though rooftop permits can be purchased for $25.

. Convert 25 coin-box parking spaces in Kenduskeag Plaza West, located directly behind the parking garage, to permit-only spaces.

. Create parking spaces for two-wheeled vehicles, such as motorcycles. The permits will cost half the rate of a regular space.

. Created six new permit parking spaces on the west side of French street, between State and Penobscot streets.

. Implement a flexible maximum daily rate for special event parking at the Pickering Square parking garage. The daily maximum now is $4.50. As a result of the change, the city’s parking management contract will be able to collect up to $10 a day during special events.