Boston Could Introduce Parking Benefit Districts

The approach offers a way for cities to free up curb parking space while boosting revenue for local infrastructure.

1 minute read

November 6, 2023, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Parking meters on Boston street.

CL-Medien / Adobe Stock

“The Boston City Council is pushing for the creation of parking benefit districts, a concept that reinvests metered parking fees back into a neighborhood for a wide range of transportation-related improvements,” reports Gayla Cawley in Governing.

Massachusetts legalized parking benefit districts in 2016, and three Massachusetts communities have implemented them. “The bodies typically designated to manage the parking districts include main streets organizations, community planning groups and business improvement districts,” said City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo, who introduced a hearing request at last week’s council meeting. 

Arroyo “discussed the potential for a pilot district in Roslindale Village, a shopping and dining area where parking meters will soon be added by the city.” Advocates view the strategy as a way to effectively manage curb parking space and generate revenue for local improvements.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Governing

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