Why some people will soon be paying less to park in downtown Durham
City leaders hope new prices for downtown parking-deck permits will help people who work downtown, especially those in low-paying jobs.
Starting Nov. 1, the evening permit will drop significantly:
- It will cost $20 a month to park from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next morning.
- The previous option cost $80 and was unpopular — there were only two active permits in September.
Downtown business owners began lobbying elected leaders for changes this summer, two years after parking rates increased to $2.25 an hour.
“We need to make sure that it’s easier to do business in the city, and that we’re not putting barriers in the way; we’re working to remove them,” Mayor Leonardo Williams said earlier this month.
Williams, a restaurant owner himself, said it’s gotten tough to do business on weekdays in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s a lot of folks that do not work in the office anymore, and so therefore, downtown is a lot drier than it used to be,” he said.
The city is also dropping the price for its regular monthly permits for the low-income.
- It will now cost $35 a month for people whose households make below 80% of the area median income.
- It’s regularly $140 a month, and the previous discount was smaller ($70 a month) and reserved for those making even less money (60% AMI).
- Proof of income is required with the application.
These rates apply to unreserved spaces in the garages, but other options exist. To apply, visit parkdurhamnc.com.
The changes go into effect Nov. 1 after a unanimous City Council vote Monday night. The subsidies are expected to cost about $56,500 annually, according to city management.
New residential development coming to Bragtown in northern Durham
A rezoning for a new neighborhood in Bragtown also unanimously passed Monday after an outpouring of community support.
Kelley Development had 59 acres north of downtown annexed for the Oxford Ridge development:
- It will allow up to 300 for-sale residential units, including at least 175 townhomes and a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and co-living spaces.
- The assemblage of land is around Carver Street and Old Oxford Road.
- Developer Ted Heilbron said the project is years-in-the-making. Helena Cragg said the design will be a “quality house that is no different from any house you would find in Trinity Park.”
A 30-year affordable housing commitment promises 27 of the single-family homes will be sold to those below 80% of the AMI.
“Affordability in rental is great, but for purchase is really a keynote in family structure and we need that in Bragtown,” community leader Donna Frederick said.
Alix Adrian, who is “not a neighbor yet” but hopes to be once Oxford Ridge is built, was one of several people who supported the project Monday night in City Hall.
“I am really excited about the intentional inter-generational community that could be built here,” Adrian said.
This story was originally published October 22, 2024 at 3:48 PM.
