Wells Garage public parking and parking fund sustainability
Keene
Summary
The garage went permit-only a few years back and now sits half empty since overnight street parking rules loosened. Reopening 40-50 covered spaces at $2/hour could bring in up to $127,000 a year and offset revenue lost to downtown free parking.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Up to $127,000 a year in new parking fund revenue at $2 an hour with 50 percent occupancy.
Downtown shoppers, workers, and residents who lost convenient covered parking when the garage went permit-only.
Downtown drivers and parkers will pay more at the meters.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee - Oct 22, 2026
The garage went permit-only a few years back and now sits half empty since overnight street parking rules loosened. Reopening 40-50 covered spaces at $2/hour could bring in up to $127,000 a year and offset revenue lost to downtown free parking.
Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee - Mar 12, 2026
The parking fund's long-term projections show the balance dwindling, so expect a proposed on-street and lot parking rate increase during the upcoming budget cycle. The West Side parking garage was cut from the CIP after a study found no need.
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