City of Raleigh Proposes DTR Parking Changes

Proposed DTR parking policies are causing a stir.

Parking is the lifeblood for Downtown—no question about it. Not just for residents, employees and out-of-towners, but for small businesses that rely on people venturing Downtown to spend money.

Now, proposed changes to Raleigh’s parking policies are meeting mounting backlash—from both DTR regulars and would-be visitors—as well as the local shops, restaurants, bars and fitness studios that depend on them.

The City of Raleigh presented three different options to Council in March to offset the projected $8 million FY27 budget shortfall in its parking fund—a deficit six years in the making. City staff ultimately favored a proposal that would increase parking rates, reduce free parking options and introduce new costs for some Downtown businesses (see callout box).

Staff positioned the price hikes alongside other areas of the city they said were also considering raising parking rates, though those centers were quick to shut down the rumors (see below). 

Council members pushed back on the proposals: Mitchell Silver stressed one hour of free parking simply isn’t enough, while Megan Patton went so far as to call all three options “nuclear.” Their concerns reflect what’s at stake, as Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s free two-hour parking pilot has generated ~$3.8M in annual spending across the five participating decks.

Artspace CEO Carly Jones tells RM that visitors frequently point to DTR parking as a persistent challenge. The free two-hour parking, she says, has been a huge lift for Artspace and surrounding art organizations.

Now, that incentive is in jeopardy. And DRA is sounding the alarm: “We believe the proposal is way too aggressive, would have a dramatic impact on Downtown’s economy—and we do not support its implementation,” stresses DRA President and CEO Bill King. “Our storefronts are 90% locally owned and need their customers to be able to have easy and affordable access, or they will simply go to many other options around the city and region for dining and shopping.”

King adds parking costs affect the ability to lease DTR office space, attract visitors and maintain a vibrant core—and that more modest, incremental changes could accomplish the city’s goals without harming the economy. 

“The scope and breadth of these proposed changes are simply too much at one time for an economy that still needs help,” he says.

DRA is encouraging residents and stakeholders to share their opinions with Council before new policies take effect in January. Meanwhile, the City is working on an RFP for a parking study to guide decisions on which facilities to keep, eliminate or allocate to private markets. In April, new recommendations will be brought back to Council in private small-group meetings held out of the public eye.

For now, the debate over how—and how much—to charge for parking Downtown is far from settled. In the meantime, it’s crucial to make your voice—and opinions—heard. 

Have thoughts? Email [email protected]

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Current City-Recommended Parking Changes

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Parking Policies Around Town

Raleigh Iron Works
The City cited upcoming parking price hikes for RIW, but Grubb Ventures insists that’s not the case. The up-and-coming development offers free public parking in both retail surface lots and the garage—and “this is not set to change in the near future,” a spokesperson tells RM. 

Village District 
Despite comments during the work session, the center says it has no plans to introduce paid parking. “Village District remains committed to offering parking at no cost and supporting a welcoming, accessible experience for everyone who visits,” GM Brooke Conn tells RM. Current measures include no overnight or student parking, two-hour limits at storefront spaces and requires patrons be on-site while parked.

North Hills
The Midtown shopping center requires all vehicles to register to park via its Power Parking system in the North Hills Innovation District, the Bank of America Tower deck and Park District’s street-level parking. Failure to do so may result in a $35 fine. The policy includes three hours of free parking for patrons, easy paid extensions, as well as dedicated parking access for tenants, residents and employees.