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February 3, 2010

Our view: Salem parking situation worth a fresh look

Unlike Peabody, where there are spaces to be had on Main Street across from the library even on a busy weekday afternoon, finding a convenient place to park in downtown Salem can often be a daunting proposition.

Designating some space for short-term parking and more vigorous enforcement of the rules (the meter enforcement officers seem to have a sixth sense that alerts them when someone has gone even a minute or two over the allotted time) has yielded both an increase in revenue and more open spots in the heart of the Witch City.

But there are some, including a top-notch consultant hired by the city, who feel more could be done to create more parking in the areas closest to stores and offices downtown.

A plan to create different parking zones — customer, employee and resident — within downtown Salem was unveiled this week. But both the Driscoll administration and consultant Nelson\Nygaard want to hear what stakeholders — those who live, work and do business in the area — have to say about the idea, and listen to other suggestions for making parking more convenient.

Perhaps they'll decide, especially with construction of a new garage at the commuter rail station now imminent, that there's plenty of parking to accommodate everyone's needs after all. But it seems everyone has a complaint about the parking situation downtown, and unlike the weather or traffic, there is something that can be done about it.

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