Press release from the City of Asheville:
While parking has been free in City of Asheville parking garages since March 18, a modified fee system will resume Aug. 1.
On March 18, following the State and Local State of Emergency declarations due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City waived all parking fees in order to support convenient access to goods and services In June, as the city began to open up, parking demand increased and the City resumed on-street metered parking fees and enforcement and rolled out a curbside pick-up program, while keeping the garages open for free.
Now fees will also resume at City parking garages, using an automated-only fee collection system. What this means is that debit and credit cards will be accepted; however, the system will not be able to provide change for cash payments. Exact change only can be accepted. If a patron does not have an option to pay with debit or credit card and does not have exact change they are advised to press the video assistant button for resolution when attempting to exit the garage.
To help facilitate ease of use, extra personnel will be at pay stations to coach people through this modified payment process.
The City is working toward resolution of this automated-only payment system. Currently because of the payment booth configuration, Parking Services is not able to staff the booths for safe physical distancing to reduce the potential for COVID-19 transmission.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as Parking Services works to keep our community safe during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Parking options
There are more than 700 on-street metered spaces in downtown Asheville. All meters are for short term parking (two hours or less, as marked) at a cost of $1.50 per hour.
In City garages, the first hour is free, the second hour or any portion thereof costs $2.50 followed by $1.25 per each additional hour or fraction thereof. (Daily maximum: $12).
Parking in City garages remains the better deal.
Also, while the collection booths are not being manned at this time, security services remain on site at every garage. And the garages have live remote video assistants at the exits to help with any payment issues that may arise.
Where the money goes
Asheville Parking Services is an enterprise fund, and that means that the division supports itself rather than relying on tax money from the City’s general fund. In addition, money collected from Parking Services helps fund the ART bus system.
For more information, please visit the Parking Services webpage on the City of Asheville website.
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