City tables parking issue

Cumberland: So, the City Council is still trying to figure out what to do about those new parking spots on Baltimore Street. They’ve put off making a decision for the second month in a row.

These new spaces popped up after a recent downtown remodel that made the street one-way for cars and bikes. During a work session and a public meeting, the council talked about a plan to use an app for parking.

The idea was to charge $2 an hour, but they wanted to give the first 15 minutes for free. This way, people could quickly grab takeout or shop without worrying about parking fees. The mayor thinks it’s a good way to help folks out.

But not everyone is on board. Some council members noticed that people were taking advantage of the free parking and staying for hours. One councilman even suggested using kiosks instead of the app, but that could get pricey and clutter the area.

The city administrator pointed out that the app has a phone number for help, and they could train code enforcement officers to assist visitors. But keeping the spaces free? That’s a tough one to enforce, he said.

Some council members were initially against the app but changed their minds when they heard about the free 15 minutes. A local business owner raised concerns that the app might confuse some customers, especially older folks.

Others argued that parking should be free or at least consistent across the city. A few business owners even suggested waiting six months before charging for the new spaces.

The council is expected to vote on this at their next meeting, so it’ll be interesting to see what they decide.