From Staff Reports

Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy said in her State of Downtown Address on Feb. 25 that City Council will consider increasing the cost of parking downtown up to 25 cents per hour later this year.

The increases would be for metered spaces and those in city parking garages. The matter would be considered in the budget process this year, she said.

The mayor noted that the $1-an-hour rate for metered spaces has not changed in 10 years. She added that the city tries to keep the rate at a level to encourage turnover in the spaces to benefit downtown retailers.

The annual State of Downtown luncheon drew about 200 people at the U.S. Cellular Center’ s banquet hall.

In other action, the attendees heard calls for improve infrastructure in downtown’s South Slope area and updates on public projects in or near downtown.

Regarding the possible parking rate change, Bellamy said the last rate increase was from 75 cents to $1 per hour.

She said the proposed increase would match the rate of inflation, meaning it could go up to $1.25 per hour. A sum of $1 in 2003 would be the same as $1.25 today, based on data from the federal Bureua of Labor Statistics.

In addition, hourly wages in parking garages also would increase 25 cents per hour. The city charges 75 cents per hour in three of its parking garages and $1 an hour in its new garage on Biltmore Avenue. The first hour of parking in a garage is free.

In other action, Bellamy and Adrian Vassallo, president of the Downtown Association, called for infrastructure improvements in the South Slope area to keep up with private development going on in the area and to lure more. 

Also, Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones asked for support for construction or renovation of two new schools near downtown, Isaac Dickson and Asheville Middle School.

What’s more, Bellamy suggested that the city get a regular appropriation from the portion of the hotel-motel room tax proceeds that goes to projects designed to attract more tourists to the area.