Portland declares parking ban

Last night, the city of Portland gave residents the option of moving their cars off streets to accommodate plow trucks. Tonight, they’re not making it optional.

Here’s the city announcement, including places where you can put your car to get it out of the way:

A citywide parking ban for the City of Portland has been declared beginning at 10 p.m. tonight, January 13th and ending at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, January 14th. The parking ban has been declared so that Public Services crews can clear and remove snow from yesterday’s storm.

Vehicles left on the street during a ban will be towed at the owner’s expense (tow fee – $70, impound fee – $35, ticket cost – $30 and all outstanding tickets must be paid. Vehicles not claimed within 24 hours will be charged $25 storage fee per day). Vehicles will be towed to the city’s impound lot located at the Ocean Gateway International Marine Terminal at 40 Commercial Street (phone number 774-3025).  At the end of the day following a parking ban, unclaimed vehicles will be towed to private tow company lots, and storage fees of $25 per day will accrue.

There are a number of places people can park at no charge during a parking ban including:

  • ·         Deering Oaks – on the left hand side of Tennis Court Road only
  • ·         State Street gravel lot – abutting Deering oaks
  • ·         Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot
  • ·         Hadlock Field parking lot
  • ·         All Portland Public School lots EXCEPT the lot at Reiche School which abuts the school and playground
  • ·         Parking lot at Nathan Clifford School
  • ·         Parking lots on Munjoy and Wilson Streets, formerly known as the Adams School
  • ·         Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Prom)
  • ·         Beach Street lot accessible from Commercial Street (This lot is available after 8 P.M.)
  • ·         Lot across the street from the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street (corner of Park and Commercial Streets)
  • ·         On Peaks Island, parking is available at the Welch Street parking lot and St. Christopher’s Church parking lot on Central Avenue
  • ·         Many parking garages in the area are open for parking bans at reduced rates – check with individual garages for rates and hours. For a complete list of city-owned and privately operated parking garages, visit the city’s website at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/parking/offstreet.asp.

Vehicles can begin to park in these designated areas at 5 p.m. tonight. Vehicles must be moved from the city lots by 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Residents and visitors to the city can sign up online at www.portlandmaine.gov to receive email notices from the city when a city-wide parking ban is implemented. People can also get parking ban updates by either becoming a fan of Portland Cityline on Facebook or a follower of PortlandCitylin on Twitter.  People can call the parking ban hotline at 879-0300 or check the Time and Temperature sign for up-to-date postings.

Seth Koenig

About Seth Koenig

Seth has nearly a decade of professional journalism experience and writes about the greater Portland region.