By Mike Finney

DOVER — The Downtown Dover Partnership continues to reach out to the community, as it seeks solutions for parking issues.

Residents are invited to attend an open house Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Dover Public Library to review the progress of the parking planning to date, ask questions and provide input. No registration is required, and the meeting is open to all.

DDP has been working with Colonial Parking and Dover citizens since November to develop a convenient and effective solution to downtown parking.

The public process has resulted in a proposed solution, still in draft form, which involves a combination of free and paid parking, flexible time frames and parking locations, and new amenities like bike racks and charging stations.

“We are nearing the end of the design/development phase for the parking solution, which nicely coincides with proposed development of a master plan for downtown,” said Diane Laird, executive director of DDP. “We currently have a request for proposals out, in which we are seeking the most qualified vendor to provide a path forward to capitalize on central Dover’s assets, encourage new commercial and residential investment and to spur the local economy.

“Convenient and efficient parking is an integral part of a well-planned downtown corridor.”

Individuals interested in seeing the details of the proposed solutions — including a projected timeline, meeting minutes and presentations to date — can visit here.

“No date has been selected to implement the parking solution once the plan is finalized,” said Todd Stonesifer, DDP board president. “But it is important to be ready with the solution as soon as the conditions suggest that the time is right.”

These conditions could include additional business openings and a return to increased visitation to the capital city by tourists, as well as redevelopment, including additional market-rate residential opportunities that would feed an “open after 5” retail and restaurant district.

In addition to Wednesday’s event, the DDP Parking Committee meets the third Wednesday of every month at noon. Meeting agendas and location are available on the city of Dover website.