Parking Pain: Downtown Durham businesses say costs are cutting into profits

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Downtown Durham draws crowds, but for business owners and customers alike, parking is becoming a wallet burning headache. One missed meter can quickly turn a trip into a costly ticket.

Alison Matney knows the struggle firsthand. She runs the Durham Vintage Collective along Parrish Street and says she has accumulated $600 in parking tickets over the years.

"Running a business, I've got a million other things to think about besides making sure I'm paying for parking," Matney said.

Out of frustration, Matney started a petition for downtown business owners, arguing that paying to park at work is cutting into their profits. She pays $2.50 an hour to park downtown and sets a timer on her phone as a reminder to add time.

"We'll sit here and pay more in parking than I make in one day. It's not financially sustainable," she said.

Barber Tony Simmons of Rocks on Parrish also signed the petition. He spends about $140 a month parking in city garages and says the situation even affects his clients.

"If there's any chance we go over, they're running back down to add time," Simmons said.

Their frustrations come as downtown Raleigh considers eliminating its two hour free parking program because of budget concerns.

In Durham, Downtown Durham Inc. President Nicole Thompson says parking remains an ongoing concern. She expects the Durham City Council to review a proposal before June that could provide relief, including one free hour of parking in city owned garages-an idea intended to support small businesses.

The city also offers a discounted parking voucher program for low income downtown workers. Approved participants receive 75% off the monthly garage rate, bringing the cost down to about $35 a month, but some business owners say that's not enough.

"I don't fit into that low income category as a single mom. I make just above that, and even that can sometimes be unsustainable," Matney said.

With rising costs and tight margins, downtown business owners say they hope the city will take steps to make parking more affordable for them, their employees and their customers.

According to the City of Durham, department staff "are tasked with helping to close any possible budget gaps. So, we strengthened our parking enforcement in garages and on the streets. Transportation staff doesn't recommend any parking rate increases for next fiscal year."

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