Annapolis Offers Free Holiday Parking, Improved Valet Service

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Three hours of free parking at meters, better valet parking and expanded Circulator service start on Black Friday to help shoppers get in and out of Annapolis businesses, city officials said. The return of popular parking options this holiday season, as well as changes designed to improve the downtown holiday experience for both drivers and pedestrians, was announced Thursday.

“Annapolis is known as one of America’s best holiday towns and we want to make it even better,” said Mayor Michael Pantelides in a news release. “From a pedestrian friendly Main Street to online parking reservations, these changes are designed to make Annapolis memorable to visitors, local businesses, and residents alike.”

Improved Valet Service: Free valet parking will be offered downtown each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Friday, November 25 through Saturday, December 24. The valet drop off is being moved from Market Space to the Dock Street island this year to improve pedestrian safety and accommodate more vehicles. By staging the valet service at Dock Street, drivers no longer have to maneuver through seven pedestrian crosswalks or make two trips around a traffic circle as they did last year. The service will be offered the following dates and times:

• Thursdays – 4 p.m. to midnight
• Fridays – 4 to 9 p.m.
• Saturdays – Noon to 9 p.m.
• Sundays – Noon to 5 p.m.

Pedestrian Friendly Main Street: To make Midnight Madness more pedestrian friendly, the top of Main Street between Conduit Street and Church Circle will be closed to vehicles from 4 p.m. to midnight on December 1, December 8, and December 15. Vehicles on lower Main Street can still exit downtown from Conduit Street or Francis Street.

Pre-Pay for Garage Parking: To minimize downtown traffic, parking guests can purchase garage parking ahead of time online. For a 12 percent convenience fee, guests can reserve a parking space in the Hillman Garage, Gotts Garage and Knighton Garage by using a secure online transaction. Simply visit the webpage for the garage of your choice to complete your transaction. Garage rates are:

Hillman Garage Rates:

• No change to current rates

Prepaid available online.

Gotts Court Garage & Knighton Garage Rates:

• Thurs & Fridays: Enter after 4 p.m. and leave before 6 a.m. for a flat rate of $5.00
• Saturdays & Sundays: $5.00 flat rate all day

Prepaid available online.

Free, 3-Hour Parking at Meters: The city will once again offer 3 hours of free parking at metered spaces downtown from November 25, 2016, through January 1, 2017. The three hours of free parking will be available at all bagged parking spots on Main Street, Francis Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, Prince George Street, City Dock, Calvert Street and Market Space. This benefit is only for three hours only. Violators will be ticketed.

Expanded Circulator Service: The city will provide extended Circulator service for Midnight Madness December 1, December 8 and on December 15. On these days, the Circulator will be free and will run from 4 p.m. to Midnight. One shuttle will run from West Gate Circle to Church Circle, and another will run from West Gate Circle to City Dock via Duke of Gloucester, east on Randall Street, up Prince George Street to College Avenue, and back to West Street.

— From City of Annapolis

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock