City of Logan implements two -hour metered parking downtown on May 5th

Nearly a year after its signing, an ordinance goes into effect in May to enforce a 2-hour limit at certain marked parking meters in the City of Logan's financial district.

LOGAN The City of Logan plans to tighten restrictions on its metered parking spaces.

Starting Monday, April 14, motorists parking in downtown Logan will start to see red fliers tucked under their windshield wipers warning of a two-hour limit for parking at certain marked meters along Main and Stratton Streets. That limit goes into effect on May 5.

Motorists can expect to start seeing this flier on vehicles parked in downtown Logan.

Mayor Serafino Nolletti signed the ordinance establishing the two-hour limit in May last year. Following that, street department crews were out giving certain meters a new coat of blue paint and applying stickers indicating the new time limit.

City officials have attributed the change to the limited parking in what would be considered Logan’s financial district. According to council members, employees working in the city tend to park in the metered spaces surrounding the county courthouse, only to leave their vehicles there all day. The city says this puts a strain on local businesses. With potential customers having limited options to park near a shop or a restaurant, those businesses regularly lose out on potential revenue.

Officials hope the new policy will promote more daytime traffic through those establishments, which would mean an economic boost for the city.

City Police currently issue two styles of traffic citation, one on a yellow ticket and one on a red ticket. Starting May 5, motorists that exceed this two-hour limit will be given a special blue ticket for illegal parking at a metered spot. Moreover, the ordinance establishes a three-strike system. If a vehicle accumulates three of these blue tickets within a 24-hour period, that vehicle may be towed and impounded.

PHOTOS | Robert Fields