What: a proposal to add paid, metered on-street parking downtown at about $1 an hour to raise revenue for the parking fund and encourage turnover.
Where it stands: On 2026-10-01 the committee heard conservative, moderate and aggressive revenue projections from the parking operator and discussed it without a vote; the Downtown Bangor Partnership board has voted to support paid parking.
Next: Staff to return to the next committee meeting (tentatively December 17) with a high-level plan for the roughly $200,000 capital cost and whether residents could get preferred rates; a Council workshop is possible in winter, possibly January, followed by public outreach.
Details
The projection covers roughly 274 spaces on Franklin, Central, Main and Columbia streets with about 20 multi-space meters plus a pay-by-phone app already used in city lots. Capital cost was put at about $200,000, one time. Staff said revenue could pay it back quickly even at 40 percent of the conservative case.
The parking fund is an enterprise fund. Supporters said revenue could offset rising upkeep of the Pickering Square garage, discount employee and resident permits, and fund lighting and safety improvements. Staff said the alternative is putting more of the burden on taxpayers.
A business-owner member said clients who drive in from out of town may object. Others raised the need for places employees can park, outreach about existing garage safety measures and staffing, a possible resident discount, tiered pricing after two hours, and raising the parking ticket fine from $15 (set in 2009) to the typical $25. A similar proposal won this committee's support in 2016 but stalled at City Council.
Garage staffing runs until 1 a.m. on weekend nights, with LED lighting left on, and Street Plus ambassadors also patrol.
The parking operator presented revenue projections and the committee discussed communication, hardship for small businesses, employee parking, garage safety perceptions and resident discounts. No vote. Members asked for the capital funding source and resident-rate options before any recommendation.