KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — At the beginning of February, the Promenade Garage in downtown Knoxville stopped offering free nighttime and weekend parking. Some nearby businesses said they're worried about how the change could impact them.
The garage is off State Street and provides easy access to Gay Street, where several restaurants, shops and bars are located. It has around 280 parking spots.
The Knoxville Utilities Board owns the garage and said that Premier Parking would take over the management from PBA. It costs $3 to park up to two hours or $7 for 3 - 24 hours. A limited number of monthly passes are also available.
"You don't kick a guy when he's down," said Jeff Robinson, a co-owner of Black Horse Brewing. "I mean, just wait four or five months and do it after the COVID-19 pandemic's over and when things are going back to normal. When the Tennessee Theatre is open again and the Bijou is open and there are events on Market Square."
A group of downtown businesses wrote a letter expressing their concerns to KUB.