More paid parking could be coming to Oak Bluffs. 

The town’s select board discussed options for turning the lot at 0 Uncas avenue, across the street from the Barn Bowl & Bistro, into a parking lot at the bimonthly meeting Tuesday.

The select board hopes to alleviate traffic congestion downtown by transforming more town-owned land into parking areas, both paid and public. The property has been owned by the town since 2022.

Dan Doyle, a special project planner with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, presented potential layouts for lots ranging from 36 spots to 38 spots. The proposed gravel lot would cost somewhere between $385,000 and $410,000, and was not expected to have a negative impact on the traffic around the area or on Uncas avenue.

Town administrator Deborah Potter acknowledged the board’s sticker shock, but told the board that the cost could be lowered if the town takes on parts of the construction itself.

“Right now you’re carrying a $60,000 year debt payment on this property. The whole idea of this was for it to at least be self sufficient,” town administrator Deborah Potter told the board. “Every season we delay, there’s another $60,000 that the public has had to subsidize.”

Ms. Potter added that the town has not decided what type of payment system the parking lot will use, but she mentioned a freestanding pedestal and permits as options.

The select board voiced several concerns regarding the plans, including the impact on traffic, pedestrian safety and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Select board member Dion Alley asked Mr. Doyle if the proposed gravel parking lot would be navigable for wheelchair users. Mr. Doyle said that ADA-compliant spots would be built with permeable paving to meet necessary standards.

Select board chair Gail Barmakian said that the parking lot could benefit both workers and visitors to downtown Oak Bluffs, but that she was concerned that the addition of a sidewalk could disrupt two-way traffic.

“That is now a two-way street and there’s parking on both sides…People need to squeeze through, so that sidewalk may force that street to be a one way,” she said.

Select board member Emma Green-Beach spoke in favor of the sidewalk because she worried about what it would mean for pedestrian safety.

“I would hate for us to put in a parking lot and not provide a safe pedestrian exit,” she said. Mr. Alley added that a sidewalk may be necessary for the parking lot to be ADA-compliant.

Although the board reached a consensus that the option with the most parking spaces, 38, could be best, there was no formal vote. Ms. Barmakian asked Mr. Doyle to provide the board with more information.