Portland Declares Yellow Parking Ban Downtown Tonight Beginning at 10:00 PM and ending 6:00 am Thursday

PORTLAND, Maine – A yellow parking ban for the City of Portland downtown area has been declared beginning at 10:00 PM tonight, December 18 and ending at 6 am tomorrow December 19th. The parking ban has been declared so that Public Services crews can clear and remove remaining snow.  The Yellow Zone is an area within the downtown business district that is geographically bounded by:

Commercial Street on the South
Cumberland Avenue on the North
Franklin Street Arterial on the East
State Street on the West

The parking ban is in effect within the square area of these four streets. As winter operations are still underway, the city asks residents and visitors to extent possible to park off-street. Keeping the streets open allows for expedient snow removal. Fire and Emergency crews are also appreciative of any assistance shoveling out fire hydrants and steps.

Yellow Zone parking bans provide Public Services the opportunity to remove snow from the streets and sidewalks in this area improving traffic flow and commerce within the business district.

Vehicles left on the street during a ban will be towed at the owner’s expense (tow fee - $85, impound fee - $35, ticket cost - $30 and all outstanding tickets must be paid. Vehicles not claimed within 24 hours will be charged $25 storage fee per day). At the end of the day following a parking ban, unclaimed vehicles will be towed to private tow company lots, and storage fees of $25 per day will accrue. There is an additional $25 after hours fee for vehicles picked up between 7 pm and 7 am.

There are a number of places people can park at no charge during a parking ban including:
·         Deering Oaks – on the left hand side of Tennis Court Road only
·         State Street gravel lot – abutting Deering oaks
·         Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot
·         Hadlock Field parking lot
·         All Portland Public School lots EXCEPT the lots at Reiche School which abut the school and playground and Adult Ed at the former Cathedral lot
·         Parking lots on Munjoy and Wilson Streets, formerly known as the Adams School
·         Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Prom)
·         Beach Street lot accessible from Commercial Street.  (Available after 8pm tonight)
·         Lot across the street from the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street (corner of Park and Commercial Streets)
·         On Peaks Island, parking is available at the Welch Street parking lot and St. Christopher's Church parking lot on Central Avenue
·         Many parking garages in the area are open for parking bans at reduced rates – check with individual garages for rates and hours. For a complete list of city-owned and privately operated parking garages, visit the city’s website at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/parking/offstreet.asp.

Vehicles can begin to park in these designated areas at 5:00 PM tonight. Vehicles must be moved from the city lots by 7 am tomorrow, Thursday December 18.

Residents and visitors to the city can sign up online at www.portlandmaine.gov to receive email notices from the city when a city-wide parking ban is implemented. Residents and visitors can also get parking ban updates by either becoming a fan of Portland Cityline on Facebook or a follower of PortlandCitylin on Twitter. Residents and visitors can call the parking ban hotline at 879-0300 or check the Time and Temperature sign for up-to-date postings.