Council to Make Some Lots Free During Holidays

The council voted 6-3 to pass a resolution calling for free parking in the Wallace Parking Deck and Lot 2 on Rosemary Street at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 6 and the Holiday Parade on Dec. 7, moves the town has made in past years.

But this year, free parking also will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the Downtown Open House on Dec. 14 and the following Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Wallace Parking Deck and Lots 2, 3 and 5.

Council members debated instituting free parking all four Saturdays in December but ultimately decided on just two.

In addition to free parking, each downtown store will give one coupon per visit to each customer from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23 redeemable for one hour of free parking in the same lots on any day.

Assistant Town Manager Flo Miller said the free parking dates would be beneficial to downtown business.

"It's stimulating, and the free parking will bring more people to shop and dine in downtown Chapel Hill," Miller said.

She said that loss of money as a result of the free parking would not be an issue but that the town is waiving about $9,000 usually received from parking fees during the holiday season.

Council members Flicka Bateman, Dorothy Verkerk and Edith Wiggins voted against instituting free parking.

Verkerk said she is in favor of issuing coupons, but not free parking, during the days approved.

"I think Flicka, Edith and I just didn't see giving up ($4,000) to $9,000 that would be generated," she said.

Verkerk also said holiday parking is not a major issue for residents. "I didn't see that there was a problem," she said. "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Council member Jim Ward, who voted for free parking, said the council is taking a good step that will increase downtown business.

"We voted to have these free parking holidays so the community would be encouraged to shop downtown," Ward said.

He said that the town has offered free parking during holiday events in the past but that this year's plan is a chance to try to implement the idea of free parking Saturdays in December in hopes that it will be continued in future years.

Ward said the council loses about $4,500 every year from eliminating parking fees on the days of the tree lighting and the parade.

He said council members are aware the council will lose about another $4,500 by offering free parking on two additional Saturdays.

But Ward said that even though the town will lose some funds, businesses will benefit from the free parking and might generate more revenue from shoppers and restaurant patrons.

"It seems like it was an opportunity for us to support downtown business and encourage the community to shop downtown."

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.