Put it in park 🚘

SmartCard Parking Program in Charleston

How often do you park downtown? | Photo by pineappledownsouth

You parked on the street for an event downtown, and now you’re getting ready to leave. There’s still time left on your meter. What if we told you it can be refunded?

The SmartCard Parking Program is a prepaid parking card system for City of Charleston meters. So put it in drive to find out more.

What is a SmartCard?

The SmartCard program offers an alternative way to pay your meter in downtown Charleston. Instead of credit, debit, or change, it’s a reloadable card similar to a gift card.

How can I get one?

Citizens and visitors can pick up a SmartCard at the Reuben M. Greenberg Municipal Building at 180 Lockwood Dr. Head to the second floor for the Revenue Collections Parking Division.

There, you can purchase a card and charge meter time onto it. One dollar buys you 30 minutes, and the card can hold up $300 in value.

How do I use it?

After adding time to your SmartCard, insert it into a city parking meter. The meter will display the dollar value available on the card. Add more time if needed.

When you’re ready to leave, any remaining time can be refunded to the SmartCard. Reinsert the card into the meter to get your refund.

Note: Time can only be refunded onto the same card from which it was originally taken. The card does not guarantee parking or let you park at a meter longer than the maximum time allotted.

Now let’s drive home a few details:

In 2018, the city’s parking meter revenue was ~$3.9 million. That year, the rate increased to $2 per hour.
Charleston’s Comprehensive Parking Study in 2019, the city’s first parking study in two decades, found that most people parked on the street.
Between October 2022 and early January 2023, the city issued ~2,900 parking tickets following the enforcement of weekend parking rules on King Street.
In fall 2022, the city was planning to upgrade meters to add more payment options in the future.

If this fuels your interest, pick up a SmartCard downtown and try it out.

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Monday, Jan. 23

Bodega’s Best in Bread | Monday, Jan. 23 | 6 p.m. | Bodega, 23 Ann St., Charleston | $25 | In this first-annual sandwich competition, nine restaurants from across the Lowcountry will compete to determine who is the Best in Bread.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Hitchcock Films at John’s Island Library | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 10 a.m. | John’s Island Library, 3531 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island | Free | Catch a showing of the fourth film in the library’s Hitchcock series, the mysterious “Rebecca.”
Malt & Manifestation Workshop | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Two Blokes Brewing, 547 Long Point Rd., Ste. 101, Mount Pleasant | $55 | Have a pint or a flight and learn how to use your unique design to attract abundance and success into your life.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Your Parks, Your Classroom: Friends of the Forest | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Register to explore forest dwellers and their homes in this education series on habitats, flora, and fauna found in Charleston County Parks.
Master Slave Husband Wife: A Book Talk | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Buxton Books, 160 King St., Charleston | Free | Reserve a spot to join Ilyon Woo and Dr. Shannon Eaves for a conversation on the true story behind Ilyon Woo’s “Master Slave Husband Wife.”

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

61º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:18 a.m.
Set: 5:45 p.m.

Tide

Low: 2:42 a.m. + 3:23 p.m.
High: 9:13 a.m. + 9:30 p.m.

Opening

A burger bar opens tomorrow, Jan. 24 in the former 3 Matadors Tequileria in West Ashley. No Bull Burger Bar will serve burgers, fries, and chicken tenders at 2447 Ashley River Rd. 3 Matadors Tequileria plans to reopen in a new spot at the end of 2023. (WCSC)

Development

The grand opening of a new apartment complex is set for this Friday, Jan. 27 in Mount Pleasant. Atlantic Beach House, a 224-unit complex from developer Middle Street Partners, is located on Ben Sawyer Boulevard. (The Post and Courier)

Open

Over the weekend, a music school opened its doors with a ceremonial guitar smashing in Mount Pleasant. Head to 1907 U.S. 17 N. in Suite 102 to check out School of Rock. All ages can sign up for music lessons. 🎸 (Charleston Regional Business Journal)

Plan Ahead

The first-ever Folly Pier Fest is happening on Saturday, March 11. The event, hosted by Charleston County Parks, will feature carnival-style entertainment, live music, and food trucks. Bonus: The festival will benefit the Charleston County Parks Foundation. Get tickets.

Number

$2 million. That’s how much was recently awarded to The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. The grant, given by the Mellon Foundation, will allow the center to upgrade its collection and grow its staff. (The Post and Courier)

Featured

Last week, we shared Charleston’s food rankings on Tripadvisor. The Holy City has also landed a spot on the travel company’s list of the most popular destinations in the US. Find out where we ranked out of 25 cities. 🎊 (Tripadvisor)

State

This year’s State of the State address is set for this Wednesday, Jan. 25. Gov. McMaster, who recently began his second full term, will deliver the address. Tune in at 7 p.m. 🎤 (WCBD)

Job

New year = new job. Grow yourself professionally in 2023 and work for a company known for delivering innovative patient-centered care. Palmetto Primary Care Physicians has several medical + administrative job openings. Learn more + apply.*

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going... Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. Hurry — this offer ends tomorrow, Jan. 24. ✈️ *

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Have an event in 2023? Let us know about it. | Photo by @leighwebber

Are you planning an awesome event? Submit it for free on our website. Here’s how:

1. Create a CitySpark account.
2. Go to our events page.
3. Click the blue “Add Event” button.
4. Fill out the event submission form.

Psst... our online calendar is where we source most of our events for the daily and weekend newsletter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Tatum.

Editor’s pick: Hey readers, today Lexa and I are sharing our answers to “Would You Rather” Charleston edition.

My picks: Home Team tots, Sullivan’s Island, Darius Rucker, Hominy Grill, “The Righteous Gemstones,” skyline views, historic home downtown.

Lexa’s picks: Frosé, Sullivan’s Island, Darius Rucker, HōM, star in an episode of “Outer Banks,” live music, beachfront cottage.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Play “Would You Rather,” here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alexandra Garian, Tatum Jacaruso, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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