Downtown Overnight Parking Effort Moves Forward Once Again

The fate of downtown overnight parking has been plagued with several delays since a Board of Ethics decision in September led them to reverse a vote which would have provided several spaces along Center Street, but the Parking Authority is now moving forward with discussions regarding the project once again.

The authority on Wednesday voted 3-0 to establish a public hearing regarding a plan that would establish six overnight parking spaces for tenants of apartments in the second floor of buildings along Center Street – but the new proposal will come with some changes including the elimination of any discussion regarding overnight commercial parking.

Parking Authority member Mat Florian abstained from the vote and member John Solury Jr. was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

“My recommendation, because commercial has been so controversial, is to go back with the intent for residential use only,” said Parking Authority Chairman Michael Riccio. “If in future, a commercial entity needs overnight parking, we will go back and discuss it at that time.”

Riccio said the overnight parking is essential in order to assist property owners on Center Street who do not have access to a lot. Three buildings have second floor apartments and adding the overnight parking spaces would allow the property owners to fill the apartments with quality tenants much easier, he said. 

The Parking Authority had initially passed a motion in June that would not only have allowed for development of a policy regarding the residential spaces, but also allowed for the potential development of plans to add commercial spots in the Riccio Way lot off North Main Street.

Local resident Art Cyr filed a complaint with the Board of Ethics , which was passed 3-2 with Riccio, Florian and Dee Babkirk-Rodrigues in favor. Solury and then-authority member Mark Dziubek were opposed to the motion.

The , stating that while Florian would not benefit from the overnight parking, he should have recused himself as a downtown property owner. Florian has maintained that he was only acting under his responsibilities as a member of the authority in voting on the issue.

The Parking Authority based on the Board of Ethics recommendation and Florian has recused himself from all discussions since.

Cyr said Wednesday that he would like all commissioners to disclose any stake they may have in the matter or property ownership in the downtown area prior to the upcoming discussions.

“It’s important to get everything on the table before these discussions begin,” Cyr said.

The public hearing will be held when the Parking Authority next meets on Feb. 15 and the discussion will be open to the public at the time, Riccio said. The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at .