DISCOUNT LOTSFour downtown parking sites are included in a new effort aimed at spurring hospitality, retail and restaurant workers to use discounted designated lots or garages rather than on-street spaces. The locations and monthly prices are:• CARTA north garage roof at Broad and Third streets – $20• CARTA North Shore garage off Frazier Avenue – $15• Riverfront Parkway lots near Power Alley – $20• Unum lot at Fourth and Cherry streets – $15
City and downtown officials are mulling creation of a parking authority, or giving CARTA similar powers, as they craft a long-term plan to ease perceived space shortages at key times and sites.
Earlier this week, they began offering discounted monthly parking prices at some downtown lots and garages to hospitality, restaurant and retail workers who now may be feeding parking meters.
The aim, according to officials, is to free up on-street parking for others, including potential customers and patrons.
Tom Dugan, CARTA’s executive director, said Wednesday that officials may go before the City Council in 60 to 90 days with proposals to ease downtown’s parking problems.