Columbia parking rates rise significantly, sparking concerns from some businesses, residents

Metered parking in Columbia became significantly more expensive as of March 1.

With metered street parking rates doubling, residents and visitors may face sticker shock in the Vista, on Main Street and in Five Points – the city’s most popular entertainment districts.

The changes include:

• On-street parking now costs $1.50 per hour instead of $0.75.
• Residential owner-occupant car permits – mostly in neighborhoods around USC – now cost $30 per vehicle instead of $5 for 24 months.
• The cost of tickets for unpaid or expired meters rose from $8 to $25.
• Monday through Friday street parking enforcement now extends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of the previous 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Parking rates in all garages also increased. But the first hour is free.

The cities of Charleston and Greenville have raised their parking rates in recent years, while Columbia’s rates have remained the same for about 20 years, said Columbia spokesperson Justin Stevens.

Stevens also emphasized the long-term benefits of the changes.

He said the city may use the increased revenue to build parking garages in the future if development and growth create a need for additional parking options.

But many local business owners disagreed, saying lower parking costs are critical to keeping customers coming through their doors.

MK Osborn, a supervisor at Miss Cocky Columbia on Main Street, sees customers struggle with the cost of parking.

“I’ve had customers come in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe parking is so expensive,’ or, ‘I can only stay for a certain amount of time because I can only pay so much on the meter,’” Osborn said. “This is definitely going to make a bigger impact than people think on businesses.”

She worries that higher parking rates and increased fines could push customers to other shopping areas that have free parking.

“I think them raising the parking rates and the parking ticket prices is ridiculous,” Osborne said. “We’re going to end up losing money in the long run, and so are a lot of other businesses on Main Street.”

Amy Riordan, a junior at the University of South Carolina, makes dining and shopping decisions based on parking costs.

“Just the other weekend, I was going to Cantina 76 with a group of friends, and we chose the Devine Street location over the Main Street one because parking was free and easy there,” Riordan said.

Her concerns echo a frustration among Columbia residents and visitors who feel that rising parking costs might make downtown less accessible.

“Why would I pay for parking if I can go somewhere else and it’s free?” Riordan said.

And parking garages have challenges of their own.

Garages might mean parking farther from a destination and walking alone at night.

“I’m a girl, and walking alone at night is one of the scariest things for me,” Riordan said. “I’d much rather park somewhere closer to my destination than have to walk through a parking garage at night.”