Downtown Columbia’s parking rate increases will help upgrade decks, say City Councilmembers
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — After hearing concerns from citizens and hospitality districts during Tuesday night’s council meeting, City of Columbia leaders have amended and approved a new parking rate ordinance.
Effective March 1st of next year, the rate for downtown street parking will double from 75 cents an hour to $1.50 an hour — and parking tickets will increase from an $8 fee to a $25 fee.
Councilman Will Brennan says the additional funds will be used to focus on infrastructure, maintenance, and repairs — specifically to aging parking decks.
“So that is a major investment we will make is bringing those up to structurally significant, we’re gonna make them as safe as possible with safe lighting and increased operations, so anybody that comes to visit our hospitality districts and downtown knows they have a safe place to enter and exit from and to enjoy our city,” Brennan says.
But some people say it’s still too big of a jump.
“I think inflation affects everybody including the government, but double seems a little high,” says Victoria Elmgren.
“People are already suffering from inflation and all the things, and that just adds to it,” says Robin Johnston.
Another major concern that came up during recent council meetings? Parking for employees in the hospitality industry.
“Workforce parking seems to be a major issue, so having your staff run back and forth from the restaurant to the meter, that was something that came up,” says Brennan.
To help alleviate employees from feeding meters during their shifts, parking permits will be available to hospitality workers (as well as residential owners) for $35 a month.
Other folks say more parking in general is needed.
“This is a busy place especially with all the college kids, we’d love to have some more parking. I work at one of the law firms down here on main street and parking is always an issue for our clients,” says Brian Holmes.
“I think I’d rather see them add some parking garages or other options to have choices to park,” says Johnston.
But Brennan and other Councilmembers say parking is there, and they will make it their priority to make the public aware of those available spots.
One possible option? Digital signs that alert drivers to where nearby spots may be.
“Upgrading signage, letting people know there are open parking spots here downtown. We hear stories of people circling the block looking for angled parking, and little do they know just right there half a block away is 75, 80 spots waiting for them in our parking deck,” Brennan says.
City council will take the next 90 days to continue reviewing the ordinance.
Further details from City of Columbia:
· No enforcement for on-street parking on Saturdays (Except for the Five Points District)
· City-wide on street parking enforcement from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
· 1st hour free in all City of Columbia Parking decks
· Hospitality rooftop-only parking for $35/month
· On-street parking rate of $1.50/hourly
· Various increases in fines for parking citations
· Owner occupant residential permits of $30 per vehicle (24-month period)
· Owner occupant visitor permit of $24 per vehicle (24-month period)
The parking rate ordinance will go into effect on March 1, 2025 or at a later date. This will ensure City of Columbia staff has adequate time to effectively educate citizens and the business community about the new parking rate ordinance well in advance of the ordinance taking effect.
