Downtown Westbrook should install new directional signage, hire a parking enforcement officer, install parking meters in key locations and construct a 750-space parking garage in the municipal lot behind CVS, Family Dollar, Main Street CafA?©, Martini Lane and Hub Furniture. These are several of the recommendations in the final draft of the downtown parking study. To present the plan and gather public comment, the Downtown Parking Committee is holding its final public meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 26th at the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church.
The Downtown Parking Committee has been working on the plan since October 2005. Under the leadership of its consultant, Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, Inc., the committee has developed a list of 13 strategies for the development of a parking management system in Westbrook. The strategies are divided into three phases that were determined by their level of importance, ease of implementation, and time required for completion.
Phase I is comprised of strategies that can be completed in a short-term horizon. These strategies include new directional signage, establishment of parking fee and fine structures, creation of a civilian parking enforcement position, construction of new surface parking lots and establishment of new time limits for areas such as the Ash Street lot and Main Street.
Phase II focuses on the installation of parking meters in locations that will benefit from higher turnover of parked cars. These locations are found near retail businesses and can be located both on-street and in municipal parking lots. Along with the installation of meters, the study recommends constructing a sidewalk in front of the Dana Warp Mill and making the parking enforcement position full-time.
Phase III is dedicated to the construction of a 750-space, six-level, parking garage. If downtown Westbrook achieves its full build-out potential, a garage of this size will be required. The study makes several recommendations on the phasing of a garage, and potential funding sources.
The strategies in the parking study will be debated and approved by the City Council at each step. As implementation proposals are brought forward, the study will be used as a guide. Thus, it is important that the input of downtown property owners, business owners and employees, and the general public be considered. The entire parking study is available for downloading on the city’s Web site, www.westbrookmaine.com. Access to the Downtown Parking Committee Web page is available via the department of Planning, Engineering and Code Enforcement. The Downtown Parking Committee hopes that members of the community will find the study thought-provoking. The Committee cordially invites all to join us for pizza and refreshments at the public meeting on this coming Monday at the Westbrook Warren Congregational Church.
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