Downtown Peabody Parking Work To Include New LED Lights In City Lots

PEABODY, MA — Peabody's ongoing efforts to improve downtown parking safety and convenience include new LED lights being installed in the Railroad Avenue municipal lot this week.

The lot was set to be closed on Monday and Tuesday for the Peabody Municipal Light Plant to facilitate the installation of the new lights.

The new lights are part of the project, which will also include pay kiosks, digital meters and six electric vehicle charging stations.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt said the improvements were in response to downtown business and visitor requests for more visible parking, expanded payment options and better lighting at night.

"Downtown Peabody has undergone a dramatic resurgence in the past ten years and become a hub of people, culture and commerce," Bettencourt said. "Upgrading our parking technology encourages more people to visit the many restaurants, shops and attractions on Main Street and throughout downtown."

Bettencourt said the $1.5 million project is funded through state and local grants and will also include vegetation trimming.

The project is expected to be completed in September.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)