Mayor Suspends Downtown Parking Meter Enforcement

PEABODY, MA — Peabody drivers won't have to worry about feeding downtown parking meters this summer.

Mayor Edward Bettencourt announced Thursday that the enforcement of parking meters in the city's downtown area will be suspended until the Peabody Square reconfiguration project is completed.

“This is about helping our downtown business community by making it a little easier for their customers to park and get around,” said Mayor Bettencourt in the announcement. “While we work to make Peabody Square more business and pedestrian friendly going forward, we have an obligation to help those doing business here right now.”

The reconfiguration project is expected to be completed this fall, according to the announcement.

The $3.6 million project is designed to further streamline downtown traffic and create a more pedestrian and business friendly cityscape, according to city officials. The Square reconfiguration project will continue the momentum of the Main Street redesign project which utilized funds from the same MassWorks grant program.