ATLANTA — Free parking in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood is soon coming to an end.
Permission was approved this week to convert the car park to paid parking.
Many business owners worry that customers will abandon them.
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Southern Star Tattoo has been a Little Five Points staple for over a decade.
“It's really unfortunate,” said Eric Sleeth, owner of Southern Star Tattoo. Candace McCowan, Channel 2“None of the businesses here are big corporations making a ton of money. All of the businesses here in the Little Five Points neighborhood are small businesses.”
He's one of several store owners upset about changes coming to the parking lot directly behind their businesses on Seminole Avenue.
The Atlanta City Council approved a special use permit to convert what are currently free parking lots into paid parking lots.
“It's getting harder and harder to park,” said Kelly Stocks with the Little Five Points Business Association.
The land has had eight owners.
The majority of them supported efforts to convert the lot into a paid parking lot.
One owner told McCowan that charging for parking would ensure it was better maintained and would not be left abandoned.
Property owners will be able to get free parking passes for their employees.
However, some are concerned about the impact on customers.
“Right now, paid parking is already hurting us because, for example, very close neighborhoods don't have paid parking, they don't even have city parking meters, so we have to compete with them,” Kristen Goldberg said. “It definitely puts a damper on people.”
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Landlords told McCowan the price is still being determined.
However, the price will likely be in line with other lots in the area.
“Little Five Points has a unique vibe. It's like it's for the people. We've been a really close-knit neighborhood for a long time,” Goldberg said.
“There are people out there trying to make money off the people here,” Slice said.
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