Editor,
My name is Kaitlyn Friel and I am a senior at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts.
During my time away at school I like to stay up to date with the events occurring in my hometown, Biddeford. On the evening of Monday, Oct. 15, I noticed the city of Biddeford posted on their Facebook Page informing residents of Biddeford that they can start applying for permits for the new parking plan on Friday, Oct., 19.
Feeling blindsided by this announcement and left with many lingering questions about how this might affect the small businesses downtown, I decided to email Mayor Alan Casavant.
To my surprise, I received a response later that evening; to an even bigger surprise, Mayor Casavant revealed I was one of very few who has done so, not to mention no one showed up to the council meeting in which this was voted on.
This issue seems to be of great importance our community, and Mayor Casavant and my city councilor encouraged me to share our conversation, in hopes that sharing information might clear up much of the confusion regarding the future of parking downtown.
Q: I feel that citizens of Biddeford have been left in the dark regarding this issue. I found out about it from your Facebook post. The City stated that they have shared it on social media and in journals, but why, when this issue is going to affect people, would you not send out letters or emails to residents?
A: The objective is to increase turnover parking on Main Street, in order to allow a greater number of shoppers and diners to visit the shops and restaurants. The city conducted a survey of who was parking on the streets and in the lots. The people most negatively affected by this plan are not the general residents, but those who live and work in the downtown, as they park their vehicles all day in the lots, or on the streets. A general shopper, from Meetinghouse Road will not be affected, as shopping spaces should increase.
This process has been ongoing for about a year and a half. There have been public meetings, public commentary, positing on the webpage, notices delivered to businesses, public access shows, and newspaper articles.
As to why no letters went out: while the perception is that it affects everyone, it really does not, at least in a negative way. Those that are being negatively affected are those who will be forced to pay for a permit. … On the other hand, for the average person, they will actually find more parking than before! The plan is complicated, and not easily condensed into one sheet of information. We are working on some electronic FAQ’s.
Q: What if you do not apply for long-term parking, how much do you have to pay for daily parking or are you forced to park on the streets?
A: Parking on city streets remains free. If you plan to spend an entire day downtown you would have to pay an hourly fee of $2 per hour.
Q: Where is the money going toward?
A: The money goes into a special account that will be used for parking enforcement and downtown street maintenance.
Q: What is happening with the new parking garage?
A: The parking garage is now in the design phase. Parking permits and hourly parking in the lots will continue after the garage is built, as there will still be a shortage of spaces, and because the city needs a revenue stream to provide parking.
Q: How is this going to affect our taxes?
A: Currently, all taxpayers pay for parking, as there is no such thing as free parking. … Taxes are not affected as users are paying the cost [of the garage].
Q: How will paying for parking NOT severely harm local business?
A: The purpose of the changes are to actually to enhance businesses who have been complaining about long-term parking on Main Street for years. This plan frees up parking and allows people access to those stores and restaurants. If there is any evidence that a business is being hurt by the changes, we have established a rapid response committee to make immediate changes to rectify the situation. The only exception that I see is the lot near the Palace Diner, and I am working to make sure that is accessible for free parking.
Q: How would you respond to residents who argue, “why not just build more parking lots?”
A: As far as building more parking lots, that implies, in a dense downtown, to knock down buildings, on which we are collecting taxes. That would not make sense. Also, the cost for a surface loss is not overly practical in this day and age. It is better to build a structure, as it takes less space, as it is vertical.
Kaitlyn Friel
Biddeford