Disabled and low-income residents raise Chapel Hill parking accessibility concerns
By Samuel Long | Apr. 19Although all Chapel Hill residents know the struggle of finding parking downtown, the issue is even greater for those limited by a disability or cost. Timothy Miles, the executive director for the Triangle Disability Awareness Council, said accessible parking spaces in downtown Chapel Hill are limited and oftentimes do not provide easy access to the surrounding buildings. The influx of construction in the area has also exacerbated the problem. “That makes it very difficult to get in and out because it’s confusing — discouraging is a better word,” he said. Reis Phillips, a UNC senior and store associate at Underground Printing, also noted the financial barriers posed by parking fees downtown. "We are the people who support this community and spend money here and live here — but we can't afford to pay to park here," she said.
Read More »