PEABODY — The city is in the midst of a $1.5 million project to upgrade and improve parking downtown, with construction crews beginning work on municipal parking lots this week.
The city is set to install kiosks, digital meters, LED lighting, and electric-vehicle fast-charging stations in an effort to make downtown parking more convenient and customer-friendly, Mayor Ted Bettencourt’s office announced this week. The parking overhaul is a response to a request from businesses downtown and visitors to the area for “more visible parking and expanded payment options.”
The new technology will accept coins, credit cards, and payment via a smartphone application called Park Smarter. Most of the parking spots in Downtown Peabody are serviced by coin-only meters.
“Downtown Peabody has undergone a dramatic resurgence in the past ten years and become a hub of people, culture, and commerce,” Bettencourt said. “Upgrading our parking technology encourages more people to visit the many restaurants, shops, and attractions on Main Street and throughout downtown.”
The project, which is funded through state and local grants, will take place in stages. Work began at the Foster Street municipal lot this week, and had moved to Mill Street Tuesday. Work crews will trim and remove vegetation in each municipal lot prior to installing the kiosks and six EV fast-charging stations.
In addition to the parking lots, work crews will install 76 new digital parking meters along Main Street and part of Foster Street.
Work will continue throughout the months of August and September at each municipally-owned lot. Construction may require temporary closure of each lot to protect the safety of work crews and residents.
Bettencourt’s office said the city will use its website, mobile app, and social media to give residents advance notice of any lot closure whenever possible.
