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Rochester ready to add parking meters downtown? It's in talks.





ROCHESTER READY TO ADD PARKING METERS DOWNTOWN? IT'S IN TALKS.

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Karen Dandurant   Foster's Daily Democrat


ROCHESTER — Parking meters in Rochester? It could happen with officials looking
at the future of parking in the city.



A parking garage, too? Maybe not yet.

Rochester Planning Director Shanna Saunders recently told the City Council the
city's Parking Review Group feels if Rochester were to adopt metered parking, it
would likely be limited to the downtown area.

Saunders said Rochester could bring in parking kiosks for payment, similar to
those in other local cities like Dover and Portsmouth. The rates could vary
based on location, with some perhaps $1 per hour and others possibly 50 cents
per hour.

Saunders provided an inventory of parking in Rochester as well.

"We have 2,371 total parking spaces," said Saunders. "Of that, there are 310
parking spaces on the street, and 2,261 spaces off street, either in public or
private lots."



Saunders said the general turnover of parking showed that people living downtown
need spaces primarily in the morning and overnight in the evening. She said the
businesses need spaces during the day.



No decisions were made at the City Council workshop, but there was tentative
support for adding metered parking.

"I see the need for metered parking," Councilor Tim Fontneau said. "At least it
seems good for North Main Street."

There was also a general consensus the city is not yet in need of a parking
garage.

"We looked at the parking garages in Dover and Portsmouth," Saunders said. "The
cost to build one is about $30,000 per parking space."




Mayor Paul Callaghan responded by saying he has heard it may be closer to
$50,000 per space.


IS PERMIT PARKING AN OPTION IN ROCHESTER?

Rochester Economic Development Director Michael Scala said the city can also
consider permit parking, say for $25-$35 per month, based on location. He said
that would be easier for residents and business owners.

"There are 155 spaces we could use for permit parking," said Scala. "The rest
could be tied to the kiosks, with a two-hour limit in most cases."

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urgency

Another idea raised by Scala was shared parking. In cities such as Portsmouth,
some businesses like banks allow parking in their lots after business hours. He
said they might be open after 6 p.m., and until 7 a.m.

The committee also talked about parking tickets. Scala suggested the price could
be raised to $25 from $15.


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