Here’s how to avoid getting parking tickets in the clogged NoDa streets

How many times have you heard — or said — “I don’t like going to NoDa anymore because of the parking situation?”

Hands down, the biggest complaint from visitors to NoDa revolves around the lack of parking. On a weekend night, neighborhood streets are often clogged like arteries after too much Jack-Mac from ’Beagles. Most retailers in downtown NoDa don’t have parking lots, which can lead to frustration and confusion for visitors hoping to enjoy an evening in the Arts District.

Well, a lot has changed in recent months regarding NoDa’s parking situation. Some good news to report. And some — well, let’s just say you better read this to ensure future NoDa evenings will be ticket-free.

Street parking

Last fall, CDOT approached the NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association with safety concerns regarding cars parked on both sides of narrow, residential streets. Fire trucks would be unable to get through certain areas were an emergency to arise, CDOT officials warned.

As a result, a pilot program was created in January. Officials removed some parking spots along North Davidson, between 35th and 36th streets, to install loading zones and keep the area clear for fire trucks maneuvering into and out of the station.

Parking was removed along one side of some of the residential streets. Signs were installed for clarification along 34th, 35th, Alexander and Yadkin streets.

Ticket police

As part of the CDOT pilot program, Park It! ticket enforcement recently came out in force, beginning with warning tickets to those parking illegally. News alert: Those warnings are no longer: If you park illegally now, you will receive an actual ticket.

Visitors have been frequently cited for parking too close to stop signs — which blocks drivers’ visibility, contributing to unsafe intersections.

Another frequent citing, which came as a surprise to some residents: parking facing the wrong way will be ticketed, even if you are in a legal spot.

It’s not just Park It! out there looking for violations, either: after neighbors complained about some of the tickets, the NoDa NBA did some research and found some tickets were actually being issued by Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers.

“The point here that I want to make is everywhere in NoDa is subject to ticketing for parking infractions,” Robbyn Tagney, co-secretary of the NoDa NBA, told neighborhood meeting attendees last week.

Our advice? Skip all that street parking and head for the designated parking areas, where your car will be safely stored for a small fee. Here are some options:

Parking garages

Crescent Novel NoDa: 424 East 36th St. This apartment garage offers 120 public parking spaces. Due to construction, enter off of 35th Street through July. After July, both 35th and 36th street entrances will be available. If you’re in the neighborhood for a quick errand or bite to eat, here’s your cheapest parking option, as the first 60 minutes are free. If you’re staying longer, rates are as follows: $3 for 60-90 minutes; $3 per hour after 90 minutes. The maximum rate is $20 per 24-hour period. Park using the mobile app ParkMobile.

Mercury NoDa: 3310 N. Davidson St. This apartment garage offers 80 public parking spaces at the garage’s entrance off of Davidson Street. From 7 a.m.-4 p.m., rates are: $3 for the first hour and $2 for each additional half hour. From 4p.m.-7a.m., rates are $5 for the first hour and $2 for each additional half hour. Daily maximum is $25; but don’t lose your ticket or it will cost you $45.

Parking lots

409 E. 35th St.: Daily parking $5; Monthly parking available for $50.

513 E. 35th St.: $3 Monday-Friday until 4pm; $5 all weekend after 4pm weekdays. Monthly parking available for $55.

436 E. 36th St.: Daily parking $5; Monthly parking available for $40.

All of these lots are operated by Preferred Parking Service. Park in a numbered space and pay using the machine at the lot or the mobile app ParkMobile.

Of course, light rail and bus services also provide easy transit options into and out of the neighborhood, with the light rail stop at 36th Street and bus lines 3 and 23 making several stops in the neighborhood.

Now that you’re in NoDa and parking is no longer a headache, take your time and enjoy the arts district with all it has to offer.

Featured photo: Alex Cason

This story was originally published June 12, 2018 at 12:00 AM.