I’m writing as a local resident of 35 years and downtown worker who, like many others, contributes daily to the heart of Asheville’s economy and community. We take pride in creating the welcoming, vibrant experience that keeps visitors returning to our beautiful city. However, many of us are struggling with the growing difficulty and cost of simply being able to park near our workplaces.
Downtown parking is already limited, and while paid garages and meters serve a purpose, they are not financially sustainable for those of us working downtown full time. Paying $15 a day for parking quickly becomes an unsustainable burden on workers — many of whom earn wages that do not reflect the rising cost of living in Asheville. On top of that, the few free parking areas available are located at a considerable distance, forcing long walks that are not always safe or practical, especially late at night.
It also doesn’t help that all the permitted parking options are on long waiting lists and are effectively unavailable to the people who need them most — those who work downtown every day. We simply don’t have realistic, affordable options left…