Now What? Salem Garages at Capacity as Storm Approaches

Editor's Note: There were plenty of parking spaces at both garages between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 21. 

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By 11 a.m. Tuesday, both of Salem's downtown parking garages were filled to capacity as a powerful snowstorm moved into the region. 

At 12:30 p.m., the city announced that a snow emergency will go into effect at 10 p.m. tonight. 

At their last meeting, Salem city councilors unanimously approved changing the city's garage parking policy during snow emergencies to a flat fee of $5 for any period of time up to 24 hours.

The idea, councilors hoped, was that the $5 would be incentive to keep garage spaces open at least until downtown residents get home from work on the day of snow emergencies.

In addition to the new flat rate, the policy stipulates that vehicles parked in city garages during a snow emergency should be removed from the garage by the close of business on the day the snow emergency ends. 

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Are you a downtown Salem resident who was hoping to park your vehicle in one of the garages overnight?

Do you expect there will be available spaces this evening? How about at 10 p.m.? 

Where do you plan on parking your car if you can't find a space in one of the garages? 

Let us know in the comments section below. 

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Alternative parking locations, according to the city's website: Blaney St. Parking lot (Salem Ferry Landing); Forest River Park; Gallows Hill-Lower; Mack Park; Broad St. Playground; Castle Hill Playground; Salem Willows Park; Bentley School lot; Carlton School lot; Witchcraft Heights School lot; Bates School lot; Saltonstall parking area on Salem Street, and the Collins Middle School lot on Jackson Street.