By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Aug. 14, 2025) Although a timeline has not been established, paid parking could be introduced in the Town of Berlin to generate money to cover the repair for existing spaces, potentially ending the longstanding practice of free downtown parking.

Parking issues and their solutions have been a recurring topic of discussion among Berlin officials.

To address a shortage of vehicle spaces, the town established a municipal lot on the corner of West and Washington streets earlier this year, securing a 10-year lease agreement with the Esham family. The parking lot is now operational with planned improvements and the intention to implement the ParkMobile pay-to-park system. On Sunday, the free parking lot hosted more than 100 vehicles for the weekly farmers market.

At a meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall stated that municipal staff and engineers have evaluated previously existing downtown parking lots, determining what repairs are needed on lots owned and used by the town. These capital improvements are likely to include resurfacing, lighting upgrades, and replacement of underground water pipes. The expected cost to cover these projects is approximately $1.2 million.

“I think the reality is we have existing parking lots that if they are not liabilities, they are close to liabilities, and it would be irresponsible for the Town of Berlin not to acknowledge that and to maintain them properly,” said Councilman Steve Green, who also serves on Berlin’s parking committee referring to the existing lots on West and Main by the war memorial, Commerce Street and the larger lots behind storefronts on Main Street.

Councilman Jay Knerr, another member of the parking committee, agreed that the lots “are in terrible, terrible shape.”

While paid parking is unlikely to be introduced in Berlin in the near future, the mayor and council acknowledge that it will need to happen at some point to help offset these expensive improvements.

Having the conversation and providing notice to the public is an early and necessary step. An open meeting is scheduled for September, where officials will discuss the upcoming fees with the municipality’s merchants, who the pay-to-park program may impact if potential customers opt out of visiting to avoid the new rates.

Tyndall adds that while tourists benefit from free parking, this practice is a financial drain for the Town of Berlin.

“I have heard the term, ‘We love free parking in Berlin, free parking is part of what Berlin is,’” the mayor said. “… Free parking doesn’t exist. We don’t have free parking in Berlin. We have parking that either the town’s general budget pays for, subsidizes, or we have funding that we seek through other sources.”

Green notes that paid parking is the most practical measure to generate the $1.2 million for the lots’ repairs. The alternative would be to draw from other revenue sources, such as property taxes. Officials are wary of this, arguing that it would require an increase in property tax rates, ultimately putting the financial strain on residents and business owners.

“It needs to be funded by consumers, and in this case, the consumers are the ones who come to Berlin,” Green said.

The councilman added that with paid parking comes a question about the confidence of Berlin and its attractiveness to tourists, and if they would still be enticed to come with lot fees. Green said that he is confident in the town’s character, pointing to the busy weekly farmers markets that bring in visitors and residents alike as one example. He also referenced that these festivities are special events and charging for premium parking “is a discussion we have to have” as these practices are the norm up and down the Eastern Shore.

“There aren’t many towns you can go and visit on the shore where you don’t have to pay for prime parking,” Green said. “Ocean City, obviously that’s different, but it’s a $7 million revenue source, primarily paid by those that come to the town. We can look to Lewes and Easton as our guides.”

Knerr added that by implementing ParkMobile, parking fees could be adjusted based on the date and time of use. Special events and weekends typically yield higher prices, while weekdays often result in lower or no costs for consumers. Prime zones, such as those located closer to services and amenities, may also have steeper rates than those further away.

As an example of potential options, the first two hours of parking could also be less expensive, Tyndall said, and the third hour could increase in price.

“We are cognizant, we want people able to come … we want the ability for people to come downtown,” the mayor said. “We understand that people might come for 15 minutes. They might get their teeth cleaned, or they might pop into a shop. Is there a way we can make the first two hours cheap? Can we find a strategy where two-hour parking is cheap, and then three hours, you know that’s going to escalate?”

Town of Berlin officials will provide parking updates to the community as they become available. The next step is a meeting with town merchants in September.