Paid Parking in Ellsworth, Maine? Officials Want to Know Your Thoughts

If you parked in Bar Harbor over the summer, you definitely noticed new, solar powered parking meter kiosks. You may have also become frustrated with the unreliability of the kiosks and the increased parking prices.

The pay for parking program in Bar Harbor began in 2019 and has doubled in the price per hour to park since then to a price tag of $4 an hour. Despite the groans from visitors and Mainers, the meters have brought in $3.85 million for the coastal town to be primarily used for improving roads and sidewalks.

Ellsworth, Maine Wants Similar Success Through Seasonal Paid Parking

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The proposal for seasonal paid parking in downtown Ellsworth, Maine was presented on Friday and was met with mixed reactions. Many locals and business owners oppose the proposal arguing that it takes away from the appeal of the small, quaint town of Ellsworth and there are worries it will deter people from visiting.

According to The Ellsworth American, the proposal would implement paid parking for $2 per hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays from May 1 to Oct. 31. There would also be a maximum parking time limit of 4 hours to assist with car turnover in premium parking spots in downtown Ellsworth.

The cost to start the program would be approximately $192,000 with annual fees of $145,000. Officials project, however, that the parking meters would bring the city around $1 million of revenue annually to help offset city budgets to relieve the burden on taxpayers and could help fund infrastructure down the line, including roads, downtown investment and playground maintenance.

There were parking meters in downtown Ellsworth before and were removed in May of 1963 after the city council voted for free parking 4-1. This is just a proposal at this time, and officials want to hear from you. Share your opinions here or through the Ellsworth, Maine website.