Downtown Mansfield Parking Plan on Hold For Now

Mansfield, MA — No parking spots will be taken away from the downtown area for now.

Public Works head Lee Azinheira told the selectmen Wednesday that there are no plans to modify the street parking situation on North Main Street. Instead, 25 mph speed limit signs will be installed from Route 106 to West Street and there will be some temporary markings for the center line.

“We are not proposing that we mark these spots until we do some additional work and develop a comprehensive plan. That’s why we want to put temporary markings as the center line. I’m not recommending anything other than that,” Azinheira said.

Previously, Azinheira proposed a plan that would take away 24-26 spaces from the downtown area in an effort to increase safety on the more narrow portions of the street. The plan proved to be unpopular with local businesses and the selectmen.

“26 spaces is a lot. Theses businesses are struggling as it is and if the House of Pizza loses two spaces, a guy might drive by and go somewhere else,” Chairman Jess Aptowitz said.

The board was favorable towards the possibility of a no parking zone near driveways to make sure vehicle going into the street can make the turns.

Also approved by the board was a motion to pave a portion of Old Colony Road that would add 18 spaces. Azinheira said he would like to get more lighting in that area.