Don’t Get Towed this Winter
12/17/2012 -
Don’t Get Towed this Winter
Sign up at Portland’s website, become a fan on Facebook, or a follower on Twitter to get notices about city parking bans
PORTLAND, Maine – Now that winter has arrived, the City of Portland wants to remind residents and visitors that they can sign up online to receive email notices from the city when a city-wide parking ban is implemented. People can also get parking ban updates by either becoming a fan of Portland Cityline on Facebook, receiving tweets from PortlandCitylin at Twitter, or tuning in to the local news. Motorists can also call the parking ban hotline at 879-0300 or check the Time and Temperature sign for up-to-date postings.
A city-wide parking ban is called when weather impacts the city’s ability to carry out its winter storm operations and ensure that roads are safe for travel. When a parking ban is declared, all vehicles must be off city streets by 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following day (times may vary depending upon the severity of the weather). Vehicles left on the street during a ban will be towed at the owner’s expense (tow fee - $70, 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). Vehicles will be towed to the city’s impound lot located at the Ocean Gateway International Marine Terminal at 40 Commercial Street (phone number 774-3025). 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 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 lot at Reiche School which abuts the school and playground
Parking lot at Nathan Clifford School
Parking lots on Munjoy Street, formerly known as the Adams School
Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Prom)
Beach Street lot accessible from Commercial Street (This lot is available after 8 P.M.)
Lot across the street from the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street (corner of Park and Commercial Streets)
Dougherty Field
On Peaks Island, parking is available at the Welch Street parking lot
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 the city's website.
Vehicles can begin to park in these designated areas at 5:00 PM the night a parking ban is declared. Vehicles must be moved from the city lots by 7:00 AM the morning the ban is lifted.
The city can also declare a Yellow Zone parking ban for the downtown area only, starting at 10:00 PM and ending at 6:00 AM. When a yellow ban is announced, parking is prohibited from Franklin Arterial to State Street and Commercial Street to Cumberland Avenue.
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