What was once a sore spot for Damariscotta could soon become a mainstay.

The large, free municipal parking lot, which borders Main Street and includes the lion's share of downtown's waterfront, could potentially be changing in a number of ways.

The largest change would be from a free lot to a paid lot, which could offset costs of some of the other enhancements, Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said.

“We did some research into pay-for-parking, looked at how other towns have done it and how it would effect the businesses,” he said. “It makes sense for us to pursue pay-for-parking.”

Lutkus said the plan is still in its infancy, but that it has been presented to the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen, the Twin Villages Alliance and the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce. Further talks with businesses and members of the community still need to be scheduled, he said.

The town had commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of adding paid parking to the lot.

Dr. Michelle Stutzman researched the feasibility of converting the lot as part of a community grant.

“I researched the economic feasibility of pay for parking in their municipal harbor parking lot with a student of mine at USM (University of Southern Maine),” she said. “We also interviewed various stakeholders about their thoughts and concerns about the parking lot and its issues.”

The research started in May 2013. Stutzman said the research pointed toward a paid parking lot.

“We concluded that it was feasible for the town to pursue pay-for-parking in the harbor lot and suggested using parking kiosks during the summer months only,” she said. “Also, local residents should receive a pass for $10 per year.”

That money would be collected and used to repair, maintain and upgrade the lot, which Stutzman said could cost upwards of $1 million.

“Some cons are that, by charging for use of the lot, there might be more congestion on Main Street, where there is currently free parking and in other private lots in town,” she said. “Turnover rates in the downtown are likely to improve though.”

Some of the problems with the lot go further than the cracking and uneven pavement; the lot lacks proper drainage following storms. Sewer pipes beneath the surface also need attention.

Those issues could be addressed in the short and long term, Lutkus said. The immediate goal would be to resurface the lot and improve drainage with an eye toward making the lot protected from rising water levels, Lutkus said.

Although the plan is still in its preliminary phases, Lutkus said several amenities could be added to the lot.

“We'll look into restrooms, like what Boothbay has, and see if that's something people are interested in,” he said. “We could also look into landscaping, a boardwalk or whatever else people suggest.”

Lutkus said the early response to the pay-for-parking plan has been positive, but more meetings need to scheduled.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.