Free downtown valet parking begins this weekend

posted on: 11/18/2014

In anticipation of a busy holiday season for downtown Dover businesses, the City of Dover will provide complimentary valet parking service for users of the Orchard Street parking lot each Friday and Saturday starting on Nov. 21. The program will last five weeks, concluding on Saturday, Dec. 20. Visitors to any downtown business, including bars, restaurants and stores, are welcome to enjoy this free service.

Atlantic Parking Services will have valets stationed in the loading area on Orchard Street, in front of the Orchard Street Chop Shop and The Brick House, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night. There is no cost to motorists. Tipping valet drivers is optional.

“Valet parking expands the capacity of the downtown parking system on nights we anticipate an increase in visitors”, said City of Dover Parking Manager Bill Simons.

This complimentary valet service is the part of the “Get to It!” initiative, which aims to keep visitors informed about available parking throughout the downtown during the construction of a new police station and public parking garage on Orchard Street.

“The holidays are a busy time for our downtown merchants,” said City Manager J. Michael Joyal Jr. “We want to make sure visitors know ample parking is available and that businesses are easily accessible during development activity in our thriving downtown,” said City Manager J. Michael Joyal Jr.

During the construction of the new police facility and parking garage, which is expected to conclude in November 2015, residents and visitors can stay up to date on downtown parking options and traffic flow by visiting a website created specifically for that purpose, www.drivingdover.com. The website and valet service are both part of the “Get To It!” initiative, which is funded solely by parking revenue.

For more information, contact the City of Dover Parking Bureau at 603-516-2277 or parking@dover.nh.gov.