NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Downtown drivers have noticed that the Nashville Department of Transportation is now enforcing the new street parking rules at metered spots.
Artists and music fans like Richard Lynch remember the good ole' days when you could park on the street for free at night.
“They didn’t have to take away what was one of the last shining glimmering lights of Nashville— free parking for residents after-hours,” Lynch said.
The good news is, the two-hour street price is still affordable. However, you can't pay to extend through Metro contractor LAZ parking.
If you move your vehicle across the street, they have a paid lot that’s $24 for 2 hours.
"I didn’t come down three times last week because of this. That’s not generating revenue for the city, that’s taking revenue out of the city, so it’s not working," Lynch said.
There's some confusion for drivers closer to Broadway as well.
"I’m always looking for a meter to park at because I’ve never had to pay at a meter," Thalia Alcala said.
NewsChannel5 told her about the new rules. Minutes later, an NDOT enforcer wrote a ticket across the street.
"I don’t know where I’m going to park now it’s crazy, the parking garages are absolutely insane, especially now that it’s summertime and all these events are going on," Alcala said.
Ahead of CMA Fest, musicians and servers like Kelli Bradbury are scrambling.
"I get that they’re trying to make money, I get that. Everybody needs more money. But what’s the goal here?"
Her suggestion is to allow hourly extensions or yearly parking passes for the locals in the places where revenue is still generated.
"I mean at what point are people going to be like— Nashville’s not worth it?" Bradbury said.
As for Lynch, he wants the new metered system overhauled.
"Roll back this ill-conceived roll out," he said.
NDOT has responded to the concerns:
“The purpose of parking meters is to create turnover and maximize the use of each parking space to accommodate short-term parking demand in the area. For long term parking, residents are encouraged to utilize a local parking garage [nashville.gov] or surface lot.
Prior to rolling out the program, NDOT worked with the Downtown Nashville Partnership and Downtown Merchants to find other affordable parking solutions for individuals in the music and service industry. The flyer attached was distributed by the Downtown Nashville Partnership to Downtown Merchants. Musicians and service industry workers must work through their employers to obtain discounted parking.
A parking ticket for exceeding the 2-hour parking limit is $26 + $44 administrative court cost assessed by the Clerk’s Office, pursuant to T.C.A. §8-21-401 [circuitclerk.nashville.gov].
NDOT is committed to working with area merchants to address issues.”
