🅿️ Could downtown Raleigh lose one of its most-used public parking assets?

Jul 8, 2026 | News

The City of Raleigh is considering selling the South Wilmington Street Station Parking Deck—home to one of downtown’s popular free two-hour parking programs.

📊 Why it matters:
🏙️ The deck has seen a 37% increase in usage since free parking was introduced.
🛍️ It serves thousands of visitors to downtown businesses and attractions, including Marbles Kids Museum.
💰 The City cites rising maintenance and operating costs as it evaluates the potential sale.
🚗 Changes to parking availability could impact customer access, foot traffic, and small business activity.

For property owners and business owners, parking isn’t just an amenity—it’s part of the customer experience and can directly influence where people choose to shop, dine, and spend time.

📍Sometimes the most important piece of downtown infrastructure isn’t a building—it’s where customers leave their car.

#RaleighNC #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #DowntownRaleigh #EconomicDevelopment #SmallBusiness #RetailRealEstate #MixedUse #UrbanPlanning #CommercialProperty #NorthCarolina

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/city-of-raleigh-considers-south-wilmington-parking-deck-bid-free-parking-at-risk

Dylan Cunningham

J Dylan Cunningham, CCIM is the founder of Oak Street Commercial Real Estate, LLC, a firm located in Apex, NC on a mission to help business owners and commercial real estate owners create long-term strategies that align with their objectives through real estate.

We believe in going beyond the transaction, taking a deep look at where you want to be in five, ten or even twenty years from now—and how we can help you get there with thoughtful, strategic decisions today.