Parking Garage Q&A

Frequently asked questions about the Downtown Parking Garage

Last Updated: May 2024

What is the cost to park in the garage?

Parking in the new garage is FREE for all users. We felt this was critical for the City’s long-term goal to support downtown development now, and into the future.

What are the hours of operation?

The parking garage is open 24 hours each day, 7 days a week.

How many spaces are in the parking garage?

There are approximately 400 spaces in the Downtown Parking Garage.

When will the new garage open?

It is now open!

Can I park in the garage during snow emergencies?

The parking garage is the only spot to park during snow emergencies. When snow occurs, the top floor and top ramp of the garage will be designated as a RED ZONE, meaning parking will not be available on this floor at that time. However, all remaining lower floors will be designated as a GREEN ZONE, allowing use of these floors during snow events.

Why is there no charge to park in the garage?

This project was financed using tax-exempt bonds, which are regulated by the IRS, restricting the City from charging a parking fee to the general public.

Are there reserved spaces for Vertical Harvest in the garage?

There are no reserved parking spaces in the garage. Vertical Harvest is anticipated to use about 25 spaces daily.

Is there parking enforcement in the downtown area?

Yes. Please refer to the map and parking regulations.

What has the City done to ensure the parking garage is safe?

The City has integrated a number of safety and security measures in the design of the parking garage. To enhance safety for all, the following measures have been taken:

Heightened lighting both inside and around the garage with some being motion-activated to ensure maximum visibility while the garage is occupied
Two glass stairwells improve patrol of these well-lit areas from the outside or inside of the parking garage with clear visibility from top to bottom
An emergency phone is located at the door of every floor on both stairwells – these emergency phones connect directly to the City’s 911 Dispatch Center to call for help around the clock
An emergency button in the elevator directly connects to the City’s 911 Dispatch Center to ensure timely response from Westbrook’s Public Safety team
There are 42 cameras are installed throughout the parking garage to facilitate on-site and remote monitoring of the entire garage from top to bottom 24/7/365
Security staff (both City employees and/or contracted personnel) will monitor the parking garage in person throughout the day and into the night
In-person security staff is supplemented by random patrols by Westbrook PD and the contracted security company
The security office at the entrance of the parking garage is equipped with video display of all cameras throughout the parking garage
NFPA-compliant fire monitoring systems are installed throughout the garage and are connected to Westbrook’s 911 Dispatch Center. EV chargers will be added in the future, but there are none available at the moment
Signage indicating what floor you are located on