Lewiston to resume parking garage fees after upgrades

The city of Lewiston is set to resume charging fees July 3 to use municipal parking garages after upgrading all five garages this year. Above, the parking garage at the corner of Main and Lincoln streets, photographed Wednesday. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — The city of Lewiston is set to resume charging fees to use municipal parking garages after upgrading all five garages this year.

In an announcement Wednesday, city officials outlined a series of improvements to the garages over the past year, when fees were waived. The improvements range from additional security to structural changes, according to a city statement.

The city plans to resume charging fees July 3 — at the 2020 rates — at all municipal garages: $1 per hour, up to a maximum of $6 for the day; $42 a month for a resident living in the downtown area; and $55 monthly for others. Less than an hour is free.

Cash will no longer be accepted.

Monthly parking subscribers must now renew their parking card with the city by calling 207-513-3123.

Last year, the city contracted with Maine GuardSafe to provide additional safety and security measures at each garage, which includes new cameras and new lighting.

City officials originally discussed hiring private security to conduct more frequent patrols of the garages in response to concerns about the increased presence of homeless individuals and related safety concerns.

The announcement Wednesday states that as part of its Neighborhood First strategy, the Lewiston Police Department has increased its presence at each garage. The city has also installed fiber optics throughout each garage.

Lewiston’s five municipal garages are the Centreville Garage on Canal Street; Chestnut Street Garage; Lincoln Street Garage; Oak Street Garage; and Southern Gateway Garage on Lisbon Street.

At the Centreville Garage, structural repairs are also ongoing, with a “third phase” set to begin later this year, according to staff members.

At the Oak Street Garage, deteriorated stairs are also slated for repair this year.