What will it be like to park in the garage?

The garage will have 640 spaces. It is expected to open in 2021. For the first two years it is open, the costs to park in the garage are projected to be the same as current costs to park in the downtown parking lots. The hourly rate and the monthly rate for both the garage and the surface parking lots will see planned adjustments as time goes on.

The City will have the ability to review and “buy down” rate increases if city officials determine that rates are set too high. The City may also add reasonable cost increases above the rates that are currently set if they should be needed to keep up with demand.

Hourly Rate Information

  • Years 1-3: $2/hour
  • Years 4-8: $2.50/hour
  • Years 9-13: $3/hour
  • Years 14-18: $3.50/hour
  • Years 19-23: $4.25/hour
  • Years 24+ $5.00/hour

Monthly Permit Rate Information

  • Two types of parking permits will be offered: a Daytime monthly permit or a 24/7 monthly permit.
  • For the first two years that the garage is open, permits will be sold at the current rate for the surface parking lots ($55 for a daytime permit and $70 for a 24/7 permit).
  • Starting in Year 3, prices will increase by $2 - $3 per month each year.

Show All Answers

1. What are the highlights of the approved project?
2. How does a parking garage help property taxpayers?
3. How will the garage be paid for? Will residential property tax dollars be used?
4. Will this agreement affect on-street parking?
5. How much will the parking garage cost to build?
6. How were the revenue projections calculated? What happens if the garage doesn't generate as much revenue as expected?
7. What happens if the garage generates more revenue than projected?
8. What will it be like to park in the garage?
9. What happens to the surface lot parking permit program once construction of the garage is complete?
10. Who will handle operations, maintenance and enforcement?
11. Who will pay for management of the garage?
12. How will the Riverwalk expand as part of the project? Why is it included in this project?
13. What happens at the end of the agreement?
14. Who is included in Biddeford RiverWalk Community 1, LLC's project team?
15. Why was the 3 Lincoln Street site selected for this project?
16. Has the downtown area lost any parking spaces due to recent construction projects or streetscape improvements?
17. How will the traffic impacts of a parking garage in this location be addressed?
18. Does the $15,000,000 listed for a parking garage in the TIF agreement determine the amount of money that can be used to fund payments for a parking garage?
19. How did the closure of the Maine Energy Recovery Company impact the City's tax base?
20. What has been the total tax commitment change since the closure of MERC?
21. What does it mean when you say that there is nearly $40 million in new value that will be generated by the garage over time?