Changes Could Make NoDa Parking Problems Worse

CHARLOTTE, NC – Parking problems in NoDa could get even worse this week.

“Very frustrating. You literally see cars like circle the block, circle the block,” says Charles Miller.

Miller works at Sabor, right next to Cabo Fish Taco.

Thursday, Charlotte Department of Transportation will convert several on-street parking spaces in the 3200 block of North Davidson into loading zones.

The idea is to increase pedestrian and bike safety by designating a specific area where drivers could drop off or pick up people.

“It is a little bit of challenge, especially Friday, Saturday nights, you get a lot of people out here kinda stumbling out here from the bars,” says South Charlotte resident Casey Armstrong.

But critics say it could deter people from visiting businesses because parking is already so limited.

“There’s opportunities to park if it’s a pay to park kinda area, but if they turn these areas into loading zones, then that’s going to be a lot more difficult for people, especially for the businesses and stuff like that,” says NoDa resident Coley Lyon.

CDOT also plans to target cars parked illegally throughout the entire NoDa area.

They say they’ve seen big problems with cars parked too close to intersections or blocking fire hydrants or driveways.

“They’re parked on both sides of the street, like I have to squeeze through with my car,” says NoDa resident Travis O’Hare.

He welcomes the changes.

“People just park all over the place without really regard for the people who live in this neighborhood,” O’Hare says.

After the two weeks are over, CDOT plans to survey people and businesses in the area to see if they liked the changes.