Nov. 20, 2007 Jon Frederick, Parking Manager, 766-1440

PORTSMOUTH - The City Council has renewed the snow ban parking program allowing residents to park in the High-Hanover Parking Facility during snow emergencies for just $3 with a City-issued coupon and also expanded the program to allow the same discount during snow removal periods.

Vehicles may be parked at the covered parking lot for up to two hours in advance of the official start of a parking ban or snow removal period on City streets, but must be moved within two hours after its official end in order to pay the $3 rate upon exiting the garage.

The Council approved the program at its meeting Monday night. Parking Manager Jon Frederick said 154 residents participated in the program last year.

“It helps residents and it helps the City because our citizens are able to put their vehicles in a sheltered location for minimal cost while making it easier for crews to clear the streets during snowstorms,” Frederick said.

Frederick said the coupons are available now at the City’s Parking Office, Room 223A in City Hall. There is no fee to obtain the coupons, but proof of Portsmouth residency must be presented.

The coupons are non-transferable and may only be used by the person to whom they were issued. Residents must present the coupon and show identification to the parking attendant in order to receive the $3 rate payable upon exiting the garage.

When a snowstorm drops two inches of snow or more, the City may declare a ban on on-street parking in order to facilitate snow removal. The Department of Public Works announces the ban by posting it on Local Government Cable Channel 22, through a recording on the snow phone at 766-7669 (SNO-SNOW), at www.cityofportsmouth.com, in announcements in the local media and on signs at all entrances to the City. A similar procedure is used to announce the ban’s end. A map of parking lots open during parking bans also is available on the City’s Web site (click here).

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