PEABODY – 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 7 th 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
