City leaders work to help cab drivers with downtown parking problems | News

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – City leaders hope they have a solution that will fix problems at downtown taxi stands.

The city set up the stand to help bar-goers find cabs on busy nights. Last month, some drivers complained the stand wasn't working because cars were parked in the spaces on Front Street that were reserved for cabs.

Now, city staff is considering painting the spaces with a message that states, "Taxi only after midnight."

There are currently signs that ask drivers not to park in the spots. However, they are 7-feet high and Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said that makes them difficult to see. He said the department wrote 1,000 tickets from January to June of this year. He did not feel comfortable towing cars because he felt the signage was inadequate.

City staff indicated that if they paint the spaces, folks may not see the message because cars will be parked over it. However, they want to test this low-cost solution in a pilot program.

The city will hold a meeting for downtown stakeholders about painting the spaces on Thursday, August 30 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.

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