Parking Updates for 2022

Parking Survey Results 2021

After years of study, the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP)/Parking Committee partnered with Colonial Parking in November 2020 to develop a Downtown Dover parking management plan. Over the next year’s time, the DDP/Colonial Team received input regarding parking in the downtown business district from the community, including 300 responses from a March 2021stakeholders survey. The survey asked about parking behaviors, parking conditions and ideas for future improvements to parking in Downtown Dover. That input, together with ongoing public group discussions, consideration of best practices from around the nation, and interactions at two public open houses, resulted in a parking management plan. Below is the final presentation of the plan made to city council in October 2021.

The Downtown Dover parking management plan has not yet been implemented, but is now being coordinated with the development of the Downtown Dover Master Plan, anticipated to be complete by October 2022.

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN - 10/2021
DOWNTOWN DOVER PARKING COMMITTEE MEETING PRESENTATION - 05/19/2021 - PDF
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL REPORT - 03/17/2021 - PDF
CLICK HERE TO VIEW RAW DATA - MARCH 2021 - PDF
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD TIMELINE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION - PDF

While some may argue that the City has sufficient space today, it is not a reasonable description for Downtown Dover in the future, given - and as a precursor to - anticipated reinvestment and redevelopment. Let’s be proactive in designing the solution now.

Purpose: The Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) is seeking to develop cost-effective and efficient solutions to enhance parking capacity and capabilities throughout the commercial core of the City of Dover that stimulate community and economic development and improve parking services, convenience and efficiency to parking users in the downtown business area.

Process: Consistent with the business retention, expansion and recruitment components integral to the economic development mission of the DDP, the DDP has launched the development (planning) phase of a holistic, downtown parking solution. This is a public process.

The Solution: The solution derived through this public process will likely combine paid parking, additional spaces, flexible hours of enforcement, a free parking component, and possibly even amenities such as electric charging stations for a growing number of electric vehicle users. The resulting solution will create more turnover and parking availability in the high traffic areas (Loockerman Street and adjacent streets), which will provide more parking options for customers, visitors, and guests to Downtown Dover. Further, it will combine “smart” technology with cash/credit card options – in other words, it will be a user-friendly system.

Meeting Information

The public is invited and encouraged to participate in the development of the parking solution.

Open House Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 5pm to 7 pm - Comprehensive Downtown Dover Parking Solution in the Community Room of the Library.
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION SHEET - PDF
Open House Wednesday, August 11, 2021 4:30 pm - Community members are invited and encouraged to attend, learn more, and provide feedback.
DOWNLOAD: COMPREHENSIVE DOWNTOWN DOVER PARKING SOLUTION - PDF
DOWNLOAD OPEN HOUSE PARKING MEETING NOTES - PDF
Monthly DDP Parking Committee meetings take place via Zoom at noon on the third Wednesday of each month. For details visit: https://www.cityofdover.com/meetings -
EMAIL DowntownDoverPartnership for details.
Public meetings (in addition to the monthly DDP Parking Committee meetings) will be held. Check back for dates and information, as well as at the City of Dover public meeting site.

Parking Committee Meeting Minutes:

Referenced Articles:

Downtown Dover parking may be key to growth - 04/20/2022
Artisanal market set for soft opening in Dover - Delaware State News 09/01/2021
DDP reaches out to community on city parking issues - Delaware State News 08/10/2021
Old Pasadena Thanks Parking Meters for the Change
Ideas Worth Stealing Parking Benefit Districts - WHYY

February Meeting Video

In the News

"Some Dover businesses against parking meter plan" Delaware State news (April 6, 2021)
"Dover, DDP reach out to find downtown parking plan" State News (January 26, 2021)
"Downtown Dover Partnership working on a comprehensive solution to parking" Delaware Public Media (November 30, 2020)
"Downtown Patrons Worry About Parking Meters Coming to Downtown" WBOC (November 19, 2020)

Project Updates
For project updates, return periodically to this site: https://Tinyurl.com/DoverParkingSolutions

CURRENT PARKING LOT INFORMATION

The Loockerman Way Lot (Behind the Santa House) is a metered-only lot. Meters are not on at present. Resume date is to be determined.
The Bradford/Minor Lot is part metered and part permit parking. You must have a parking permit unless you are using metered parking in this lot.
The Governors Ave Lot is parking by permit and you must have a parking pass. There is also FREE 2-hour parking in this lot.
The on-street parking is currently FREE 2-hour parking for customers. Please note that we must keep this open for customer parking only.
There is no public parking in the North Street Lot. This is a private parking lot and as such, it is not managed by the DDP.

Reminders/updates:

Downtown Dover’s parking lots are well-lit.
All parking lots and on street parking is FREE on Weekdays 5pm through 7am, and all day/night on weekends.
ADA spaces (handicapped parking) in all lots are FREE and for appropriate tag-holders ONLY.
Please note that the parking meter accepts credit cards, dollar bills and change.
If you need to purchase a parking pass, experience any issues with the meters, or have questions, please call the DDP office at 302-678-2940.
See something? Say something! Please contact the Dover PD non-emergency at 302-736-7111. The Dover PD is also available for escorts.

Metered Parking