Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue is aware of the reputation of a parking problem the town has faced.

“We’ve had this perception – and it’s somewhat reality based – that there’s no parking downtown, and it’s inconvenient, so let’s just go someplace else,” said Blue.

That is precisely why, with the help of the Downtown Partnership and several local businesses, the town is looking to “change the narrative” on parking in downtown Chapel Hill with their Lots to Love campaign.

The campaign started late last month with a kickoff party that featured live music, free food from local restaurants and raffles to win free parking.

Lots to Love means new parking meters, parking ambassadors and more opportunities for free parking downtown which, as Downtown Partnership executive director Meg McGurk put it, will help to make parking in Chapel Hill “more forgettable.”

“We want people to come downtown, remember their meal, remember the smile from their downtown ambassador, remember the gear that they bought and completely forget about parking,” said McGurk. “That is how we change the narrative.”

Other changes to downtown parking include the park mobile app, which allows users to pay for parking online rather than feeding the meter.

Blue said that the town also wants to remain focused on safety.

“We certainly want to provide safe, clean, well-lit and well-used public facilities downtown,” said Blue. “That makes everybody safer. The more folks that are downtown enjoying round-the-clock nightlife and restaurants and shopping, the safer we all are, because that puts more eyes on the street.”

More information on the campaign can be found here.

Related Stories
‹
Downtown Starbucks To Relocate on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill
According to Starbucks' store manager Daniel Reutzel, the new location is expected to open between mid-July and August 1st, before the new school year starts at UNC. Reutzel said Starbucks has been "looking into" the new location for at least two years, and he is excited to expand.
Gas Leak Shut Off in Downtown Chapel Hill, Traffic Back to Normal
Authorities have located the source of the gas leak and shut it off. Traffic has resumed to normal on Franklin Street. FINAL UPDATE: the source of the gas leak has been located and shut off. #CHTraffic is returning to normal. #ThankYou for your patience. — Chapel Hill Fire (@ChapelHillFD) September 30, 2019 Emergency crews […]
Gameday Guide: UNC versus Pittsburgh
After an 0-2 start and a cancellation due to Hurricane Florence, UNC finally returns to Chapel Hill to face Pittsburgh. The 2-1 Panthers are looking to play spoilers to UNC’s home opener. Can the Tar Heels emerge with a victory and finally get a win in 2018? How to Watch/Listen Kickoff: 12:20 p.m. ET Before […]
Parking Still Biggest Challenge in Proposed Franklin Street Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council received an update on potential plans for redevelopment of the parking lot at 415 W. Franklin St in late June. The members of the council gave town manager Roger Stancil a few more months to gather more financial information with developers and potential partners for the project. Plans for new […]
Chapel Hill Police: Body of Deceased Male Discovered Inside Siena Hotel; Franklin Street Reopened
A block of E. Franklin Street is shut down as authorities communicate with an individual who's barricaded themselves inside the Siena Hotel.
A New Bar, 'Extension' of Al's Burger Shack, Is Now Open in Downtown Chapel Hill
Al's Burger Shack at 516 West Franklin Street added another business to its operations, with the official opening of Puddin's Beer Shack.
Chapel Hill Police Investigating Armed Carjacking on East Franklin Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking which took place at The Siena Hotel early Saturday morning. Police say they responded to initial reports of the carjacking at around 2:25 a.m. Investigators reportedly determined three men stole a vehicle outside the hotel, located at 1505 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, […]
Tech Company Announces New Corporate Headquarters on West Franklin Street
IotaComm, Inc., a wireless communications and data services company, will be relocating its corporate headquarters to the top floor of the office space at 200 West Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. “We’re thrilled IotaComm is calling Chapel Hill home,” said David Putnam, the town’s economic development director. “Once again, Chapel Hill stands out among […]
Siena Hotel Leadership Recaps Busy Week Hosting Mexico Men's National Team
While they were in Chapel Hill, the Mexico men's soccer national team stayed at the Siena Hotel – catching the attention of El Tri fans.
Chapel Hill Hosts Annual Pride Promenade, Celebrates LGBTQ+ Community
Franklin Street was filled with color and celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility on Saturday, as Chapel Hill held its annual Pride Promenade.
›