Parking downtown can be a challenge, especially for Asheville service industry and retail workers. A survey by the Downtown Commission and Asheville Downtown Association showed that most employees of downtown businesses rely on driving to get to work, and that 64% of businesses would like to see more parking downtown.
Survey respondents indicated that 40% of downtown employees park in parking decks, 33% on the street/in metered spaces and 32% often can’t find parking and indicate that it’s a common complaint.
The City of Asheville has heard these concerns and identified a creative opportunity to assist businesses in providing parking for their workers.
As a pilot program, the City has secured a lease on a parking lot at 50 Asheland Ave. with the intent of providing monthly marking for downtown workers. The 100-space lot is also accessible via Coxe Avenue next to the ART Transit Center, 49 Coxe Ave.
“When this parking lot became available, City staff saw in it an opportunity to provide a new service to downtown workers,” said Transportation Director Ken Putnam.
The pilot program will offer spaces available for lease at $70 per spot per month. Multiple hangtags for each space may be purchased (in order for workers from daytime/evening shifts to share designated spaces) for $5 each. Individual businesses/entities will be limited to a maximum of 10 spaces. The leased spots will have 24/7 access to the parking spaces.
The lot is still being prepared, but is expected to open Sept 1.
If you’re interested in securing spaces, please call Parking Services at 828-259-5792, and you will be contacted once the lot is closer to being ready to exchange payment information and get set up with hangtags.
Depending on interest, the parking lot could be open for hourly parking as well as monthly.
As a reminder, Buncombe County’s garage on Coxe Avenue/Sears Alley is open 24/7 to the public. You can find all City and County garage availability at ashevillenc.gov/findparking or on the Asheville App
