The city of Charleston on Thursday announced a new initiative to provide free parking for permitted hospitality workers on the peninsula, starting June 1.
City leaders say they hope the Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program could be scaled up in the future to support even more workers in Charleston’s vital hospitality industry.
“This pilot program is a first step toward addressing a challenge hospitality workers have faced for years — reliable, affordable access to parking near their jobs,” Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said in a press release. “We’re starting small to ensure the system works, but our goal is to build on this and expand it to reach more workers in the near future.”
The pilot program application period launches May 12 and runs through May 30. Applications will open for peninsula hospitality businesses like restaurants, bars and hotels to request parking permits for their employees. Parking access for approved permit-holders will begin June 1.
NOTE: Only business owners or general managers may submit applications, and each business is eligible to request up to five permits.
The pilot program will provide access to 70 designated parking spaces at Union Pier Lot B at 196 Concord St. The spaces will be available 24/7 for permitted users and will be clearly marked. To further support the program, the CARTA bus service has reinstated its Hospitality on Peninsula (HOP) route, which will pick up from Union Pier Lot B to transport workers throughout downtown Charleston.
While permits will cost $15, parking in the lot is free for approved permit-holders. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to city parking rules and regulations. Additionally, permits are not vehicle-specific and may be shared among employees at a business.
Applications can be submitted by email to servicelotb@charleston-sc.gov or in person at 180 Lockwood Blvd. between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. More info: charleston-sc.gov.
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