Parking in a downtown garage may soon be free during certain time frames, if the resolution passes through the Hamilton County Commission.
A county-owned garage with entrances on Cherry and Walnut streets would be free to use after 5 p.m. during weekdays and all day Saturdays and Sundays. County Mayor Weston Wamp presented the resolution to the commission Wednesday, noting the garage has little activity during the evenings and weekends.
The garage on digital maps is known as the 615 Walnut St. Garage, near Fountain Square and the Hamilton County Courthouse. It has LAZ Parking signage, not to be confused with a private LAZ garage at 751 Cherry St.
It would cost the county around $4,000 to $5,000 a year to let people park for free during those hours, Wamp said. Informally, the garage’s gates have been open during the evenings before this, Wamp said, but this would make it official.
“Having grown up in Hixson, whether this is true or not, the perception had been for more than 20 years since downtown Chattanooga was revitalized that it’s just too hard or too expensive to park,” Wamp said.
Garage at Cherry, Walnut streets may become free after work hours
He praised leaders at the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority for coming up with creative solutions to lower prices and make parking more functional downtown. This garage is county-owned, and Wamp would like Hamilton County to do its part as well, he said.
The only other paid parking garage the county owns is located adjacent to the county’s Health Department building by Erlanger hospital.
Commissioner Steve Highlander, R-Harrison, raised some concerns about safety in the area, asking whether security will be posted at the garage. Wamp said the county would work at making people aware the garage will be open after hours and possibly come up with a security plan.
Highlander said he planned to support the proposal.
Commissioners will vote on the plan Wednesday. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m.
Contact city and county reporter Siena Duncan at sduncan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.