Wrightsville Beach considering changes to paid parking rates

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen is considering possible changes to the rates for paid parking during the busy spring and summer seasons.

During a recent meeting, the board discussed changing the town’s paid parking program.

Currently, from March 1st through October 31st, parking costs $5 per hour in non-premium parking spots and $6  in premium spots.

The proposed change would set rates at $4 per hour, Monday through Thursday, and $7 per hour, Friday through Sunday.

Town officials aim to encourage more weekday visits and alleviate weekend congestion.

Mayor pro tem Jeff DeGroote said the system needs to balance both commercial and residential needs.

“We do get a lot of traffic for people unfortunately circling, and then they’ll pull in, let their kids off,” DeGrotte said. “You know, you’ll see the dad an hour later circle again, but I mean, we do get, businesses do get traffic from it.”

These proposed changes would eliminate premium parking.

The board has not yet approved them, as they will discuss this topic further at their next meeting in February.