Visitors to the city of Dahlonega will have to soon start paying for parking, if they chose to park in one of thirteen designated spots that are part of a new pilot project.
Construction began this week for the installation of parking meters, which will be located near parking spots just off the downtown square. Eight spots will be installed off of Maple Street, with another five lining West Main.
The cost to park in one of the spots with a meter will be $1, in either coins or credit card. The spots will be available during the posted hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
According to a press release from the City of Dahlonega, the purpose of the new meters is to collect data in order to "better manage its parking for residents, taxpayers, and others."
According to Bill Schmid, city manager for the City of Dahlonega, the city council's goal for the project is two-fold.
"We need to be able to identify what are the appropriate [parking] improvements we want to make and where those should be located," said Schmid. "The other thing is to get some data about parking habits."
Funds collected from the meters will go to pay for the meters themselves, maintenace of the meters and other parking-related costs.
The meters are expected to be fully operational in mid to late January.
