PORTSMOUTH — Privatized valet service for downtown diners appears to be becoming a popular tool for restaurant owners these days.
A pair of proposals to allow the parking service are expected to go before the city's Parking Committee on Thursday.
The city has been approached by the owners of Brazo and The Green Monkey on Pleasant Street, as well as, by owners of The Wellington Room on Bow Street. Owners of Brazo and The Green Monkey have proposed a valet service to be operated by Atlantic Parking Services. The valet parking company formerly conducted a public valet service on Congress Street, but ended that operation last year.
According to Parking Committee Chairman Ken Smith, the group is back as part of a proposal for a private valet service. Smith said the business, created by former valets of Warren's Lobster House in Kittery, Maine, was in good standing when they ended up calling it quits.
"They were open and up front with the city and terrific to work with," he said.
Smith said it is unclear who would operate the valet service proposed by The Wellington Room.
The Parking Committee has historically granted a six-month trial period for similar proposals, he said.
By allowing restaurants to offer the service, Smith said it helps alleviate congestion in downtown parking and the High-Hanover parking garage. Smith said studies have shown people will drive around the city three times before they head to the garage. With a valet service at restaurants, people will no longer have to search for parking, he said.
Another positive aspect of valet parking is that the operators normally have arrangements to park the vehicles in private lots so the city's parking stock is not affected, Smith added.
Examples of other downtown businesses that offer valet service include the 100 Club, Common Man and Agave restaurant, Smith said. The Music Hall and Seacoast Repertory Theatre also considered the service at one time.
Thursday's meeting begins at 7:30 a.m. in Conference Room A at City Hall.
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