Over 160 Downtown parking meters will soon be losing their rush hour parking restrictions, which means that parking in front of businesses in the 7-9am and 4-6pm time slots just got a whole lot easier. In a statement released this afternoon, city leaders are are stating that the removal of these parking restrictions will make Downtown a friendlier place for businesses, pedestrians, and visitors. “Downtown continues to develop with new restaurants, condos and apartments, parks and businesses, and as the market changes we must fill the need for parking for cars, motorcycles and bikes,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Lifting these parking restrictions makes sense because Downtown is an active, exciting place to work and live day and night, and we will continue to look for ways to make our Downtown more accessible.”
The original purpose of having on-street parking restrictions during these hours was to facilitate the steady flow of rush hour traffic in and out of Downtown. Over the years though, many have recognized the negative side effect this has on street-level businesses who rely on those easy parking spots to provide access to their transient customers. “On-street parking during rush hour will support ground-level retail development and pedestrian safety and calm traffic,” said CCSID Executive Director Cleve Ricksecker. “This decision is a great step forward.”
The locations of these new parking regulations include:
- South 4th Street, east side of street between East Rich and Engler Streets (except between Noble and East Main Streets): Remove 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (29 meters)
- Front Street, west side of street between West Broad and West Long Streets: Remove 7 am.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (28 meters)
- South 3rd Street, east side of street between East Rich and East Mound Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (18 meters)
- South 3rd Street, west side of street between East State and East Main Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (17 meters)
- East Broad Street, north side of street between High Street and North 4th Street: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (16 meters)
- South 3rd Street, east side of street between East Broad and East Town Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (14 meters)
- South 4th Street, east side of street between East State and Rich Streets: Remove 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (10 meters)
- East Spring Street, south side of street between North High and Wall Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (7 meters)
- East Main Street, north side of street between South 3rd and Lazelle Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (6 meters)
- East Town Street, south side of street between South 3rd and South 4th Streets: Remove 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays parking prohibitions (3 meters)
