Town of Berlin Looks to Address Downtown Parking Options

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Up to one foot of inundation above ground level in low- lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset Counties. * WHEN...Until 6 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Shallow flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline resulting in a low threat of property damage. Expect up to one foot of water above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks and lawns near the waterfront will experience shallow flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. && Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour. CAMBRIDGE MD MLLW CATEGORIES - MINOR 3.5 FT, MODERATE 4.0 FT, MAJOR 4.5 FT MHHW CATEGORIES - MINOR 1.5 FT, MODERATE 2.0 FT, MAJOR 2.5 FT TOTAL TOTAL DEPARTURE DAY/TIME TIDE TIDE FROM NORM WAVES FLOOD FT MLLW FT MHHW FT FT IMPACT -------- --------- --------- --------- ------- -------- 19/06 PM 3.6 1.6 1.1 1 MINOR 20/06 AM 3.5 1.5 1.2 1 NONE 20/06 PM 3.5 1.5 1.0 1 NONE 21/07 AM 3.5 1.5 1.3 1 NONE 21/07 PM 3.9 1.9 1.4 1 MINOR 22/07 AM 3.6 1.6 1.5 1 MINOR BISHOPS HEAD MD MLLW CATEGORIES - MINOR 3.2 FT, MODERATE 3.7 FT, MAJOR 4.2 FT MHHW CATEGORIES - MINOR 1.1 FT, MODERATE 1.6 FT, MAJOR 2.1 FT TOTAL TOTAL DEPARTURE DAY/TIME TIDE TIDE FROM NORM WAVES FLOOD FT MLLW FT MHHW FT FT IMPACT -------- --------- --------- --------- ------- -------- 19/03 PM 3.7 1.6 1.0 1 MINOR 20/03 AM 3.6 1.5 1.1 1 MINOR 20/04 PM 3.8 1.7 1.1 1 MODERATE 21/04 AM 3.7 1.6 1.3 1-2 MINOR 21/04 PM 4.0 1.9 1.4 1 MODERATE 22/05 AM 3.9 1.8 1.6 1 MODERATE CRISFIELD MD MLLW CATEGORIES - MINOR 3.5 FT, MODERATE 4.0 FT, MAJOR 5.0 FT MHHW CATEGORIES - MINOR 1.3 FT, MODERATE 1.8 FT, MAJOR 2.8 FT TOTAL TOTAL DEPARTURE DAY/TIME TIDE TIDE FROM NORM WAVES FLOOD FT MLLW FT MHHW FT FT IMPACT -------- --------- --------- --------- ------- -------- 19/02 PM 3.9 1.7 1.6 1 MINOR 20/02 AM 3.6 1.4 1.6 1 MINOR 20/03 PM 3.9 1.7 1.5 1 MINOR 21/03 AM 3.4 1.2 1.5 1 NONE 21/04 PM 4.2 2.0 1.8 1 MODERATE 22/04 AM 3.6 1.4 1.8 1 MINOR &&

BERLIN, Md. - Packed lots and sidewalks lined with cars. Steve Frene of Victorian Charm said it's a common scene in downtown Berlin during summer afternoons.

"Berlin has become a really amazing tourist destination. So many people are flocking to Berlin that naturally you're going to have some issues with parking," said Frene.

Now, town leaders are looking to make parking easier for those big crowds.

The first step: a parking and mobility study will in part review the town's current parking situation and identify shortfalls and solutions.

"Obviously, parking is the primary issue, to make sure that we have enough parking and that it's in the right places, but also mobility -- things like pedestrian and biker access and safety," said Mayor Gee Williams.

The Town of Berlin has budgeted 20,000 dollars for the parking and mobility study, which will also identify the costs of potential solutions.

"Look at everything. Everything from multi-modal transportation to the possibility of a parking facility," said Mayor Williams. "What we are trying to do is make sure every possibility is looked at even if it's something we haven't done before."

Mayor Williams said town leaders are looking to select a consultant by mid-August to conduct the parking and mobility study.