Posted on January 8, 2025
For more information, contact:
Zack Tyndall, Mayor
(410) 641-3858
[email protected]
January 8, 2025
For Immediate Release…
Town of Berlin Establishes 10-Year Lease for New Municipal Parking Lot
Berlin, MD – The Town of Berlin is pleased to announce that the Mayor and Council have entered into a 10-year lease agreement to establish a municipal parking lot on a parcel of property owned by the Esham Family, located at the corner of West Street and Washington Street. This new parking facility is part of the Town’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and support the growth of the downtown business district. The first two years of the lease will be funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds while the Town works to establish a sustainable funding plan for the remaining lease period.
Mayor Zack Tyndall highlighted the importance of this project, stating, “This new municipal parking lot will significantly increase parking capacity for our downtown business district and provide much-needed overflow parking during town events. Based on conversations with our downtown businesses and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, we know that a lack of accessible parking has limited the ability of our businesses to grow and thrive. This investment will help strengthen an already vibrant business district and encourage further growth and reinvestment in our community.”
The need for additional parking was also identified during the Town of Berlin’s recent strategic planning process. In a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, “parking” was highlighted as both a weakness and an opportunity. Feedback gathered from residents and stakeholders led to the incorporation of parking as a driving strategy and key action step within the Town’s strategic plan.
The parking lot will also play a key role in accommodating the changing landscape of Berlin’s downtown area. “As properties begin to include more residential opportunities above their commercial buildings, this municipal lot will offer an essential resource to meet the demand for residential parking,” added Mayor Tyndall.
The lease agreement was negotiated with the assistance of the Parking Subcommittee, created by Mayor Tyndall to explore solutions for improving parking in downtown Berlin. The subcommittee, which included Councilmembers Jay Knerr and Steve Green, worked closely with the Esham Family to bring this project to fruition.
The Town of Berlin extends its gratitude to the Esham Family for their partnership in supporting this important initiative and to the Mayor and Council for their leadership and dedication in addressing parking challenges. The Town is confident that this new parking lot will serve as a catalyst for continued economic growth and provide lasting benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
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Categories: News
Tags: #townofberlin, #parking
