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AUGUSTA, Ga. – As renovations take place, Broad Street is set to become a hotspot, even with the introduction of paid parking.
“I believe it’s a valuable investment. It will benefit the community and demonstrate that those who truly care about downtown are willing to make that investment,” shared Andrew Tarr.
After the roadwork concludes, Augusta Commissioners have given the green light to develop a parking management strategy for the downtown area, with some advocating for paid parking right away.
“I’m on board, and I think many of us are. It’s hard to find a city where parking is free these days,” expressed Commissioner Don Clark.
The ongoing construction is decreasing the number of parking spaces on Broad Street, prompting some local business owners to support the idea of metered parking to promote turnover.
“We need to have time management, especially in the real prominent spaces right in front of businesses so the people who are parking there are shopping at the retail stores and eating in restaurants and not people parking there all day,” said owner Brad Usry.
Commissioners say they are just approving directing staff to start the plan for parking management downtown, and though they did not approve it, there is support for having to pay to park in the area.
“I think it will be a good thing, I really do. I think we need a plan just keeping adding spaces you got to managed it,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.
For Broad Street visitors, the two-hour parking signs may one day be replaced with signs that say how much an hour to park.
“We’re at the point now makes sense next step so let’s get the ball rolling,” said Commissioner Don Clark.