Free parking in uptown Charlotte, South End ends on Saturday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Drivers will have to pay to park at meters in uptown Charlotte and South End starting on Saturday.

Earlier this month, the city began putting up signs letting everyone know Saturday’s free parking will end on March 25.

City leaders started considering the changes last May and raised fees to $1.50 an hour in July. They were originally going to start charging for parking in metered spaces on Saturdays last fall but delayed it until now.

Related: City of Charlotte postpones weekend parking changes

The idea is to open up these spaces to everyone for better access to businesses both in South End and in uptown.

NEW: Starting March 25, the public can expect to pay for on-street parking on Saturdays in Uptown and South End.

Adding paid parking at metered spaces will provide better access to Uptown and South End businesses and venues by allowing parking turnover on this high-demand day. pic.twitter.com/FohO35nHwG
— Charlotte DOT (@CharlotteDOT) March 10, 2023

It’s also a moneymaker, bringing in $700,000 a year. That money will help the city pay for paving programs through the Vision Zero Plan, which has a goal of reducing pedestrian and cyclist deaths by making streets safer.

People in South End, however, have said they have mixed feelings.

“Gas prices are pretty high, cost of living is pretty high, so everything’s going up across the board; they could kind of leave parking alone,” South End visitor Akajiah Harvey previously said.

On-street metered parking will still be free on Sundays.

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