CITY OF PEABODY
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chris Ryder
Chief of Staff & Business Liaison
(978) 538-5701
christopher.ryder@peabody-ma.gov
Downtown Parking Upgrades Underway
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. announced that the city is installing kiosks, digital meters, LED lighting, and Electric Vehicle (EV) fast charging stations in an effort to make downtown parking more convenient and customer friendly.
The new system is a response to downtown business and visitor requests for more visible parking and expanded payment options. The new technology will accept coins, credit cards, and payment via a smart phone application called Park Smarter.
“Downtown Peabody has undergone a dramatic resurgence in the past ten years and become a hub of people, culture and commerce,” said Mayor Bettencourt. “Upgrading our parking technology encourages more people to visit the many restaurants, shops and attractions on Main Street and throughout downtown.”
The $1.5 million project, which is funded through state and local grants, will take place in stages beginning the week of August 7th at the Foster Street municipal lot. Work crews will trim and remove vegetation in each municipal lot prior to installing the kiosks and six EV fast charging stations. In addition to the parking lots, work crews will install 76 new digital parking meters along Main Street and part of Foster Street.
Work will continue throughout the months of August and September at each municipally owned lot. Work may require temporary closure of each lot to protect the safety of work crews and the general public. The city plans to utilize its website www.peabody-ma.gov as well as its mobile app PeabodyConnect and other social media platforms to give advance notice of any lot closure whenever possible.
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