Not sure where to park downtown? Consider options Beyond the Lot!
Starting in January 2025, the Saunders Parking Lot in downtown Apex will undergo a major reconstruction project, designed to increase public parking in the heart of downtown. This lot, located across from the police station, will be expanded from 240 parking spaces to 392 spaces — an increase of 152 parking spaces!
During reconstruction, portions of the Saunders Lot will be closed in three different phases. This temporary decrease in available parking in the Saunders Lot may impact a regular visitor’s go-to parking spot. But there are so many parking options Beyond the Lot!
From other nearby lots to little known on-street parking, there are hundreds of parking spots within a walkable distance to downtown. During the reconstruction project, the town will work to spread the word about parking options, and take steps to ease the parking impacts downtown.
The Town has committed to several strategies that minimize disruptions as much as possible, and help support our thriving downtown businesses.
Construction Timing & Phasing
Initially scheduled in 2024, the start of construction was delayed to January 2025. This timing is intended to avoid reducing parking during the busiest shopping season of the year. Also, instead of completely closing the lot, construction will close only portions of the parking lot at a time. This approach ensures that a minimum of 144 spots are left open during each of the three phases.
Smart Parking Pilot
Did you know that the Town has a newly constructed parking lot on East Moore Street past Holland Jewelers? A new smart parking pilot program has been designed to direct visitors to lesser-used lots like the Moore Street lot, and provide real-time updates on lot occupancy. A web application and five new digital signs placed throughout downtown will inform visitors about the number of open spaces on Elm Street (25 spaces), in the Seaboard Lot (48 spaces), the Moore Street Lot (72 spaces), and at Apex Town Hall campus (120 spaces).
Parking Time Limits
Effective January 2, 2025, new parking time limits will be in place, helping to create parking turnover at the most used spaces. While many spaces further from downtown will remain open for an unlimited time, some closer spaces will have two- or three-hour time limits. A handful of spaces will have even shorter time limits, to be used mainly as drop-off / pick-up locations. A comprehensive signage plan is underway to inform visitors of parking changes.
Increased Safety and Security
Members of the Apex Police Department have completed advanced training in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a methodology that aims to reduce the risk of crime by changing the design of physical spaces. The APD conducted a CPTED evaluation for two pedestrian routes to downtown Apex – from the new Moore Street Lot and from Town Hall using the Strollway. Recommendations from that study include the installation of additional wayfinding signage, lighting, cameras, and emergency call boxes to help provide a sense of security for pedestrians.
Employee Shuttle Pilot
A temporary shuttle service will launch in January, with designated stops to support peak-time parking demand. Potential parking locations for shuttle pick-up and drop-off include Town Hall Campus, Mason Street Municipal Building, Hunter Street Park, and the Moore Street Lot. The shuttle program will be piloted from January through April, then evaluated to determine if the service is a useful resource. While targeted to downtown employees, the general public is also welcome to use the shuttle during the pilot. Also, remember, three bus routes serve downtown Apex: GoApex Route 1, GoTriangle Route 305, and GoCary Apex-Cary Express. Learn more about these routes at www.apexnc.org/GoApex
Looking Forward
While this reconstruction project marks a period of change, it also signals an exciting series of improvements for downtown Apex outlined in the adopted Downtown Master Plan & Parking Study. Three of the top 10 projects identified in that plan are in various stages of planning, with the reconstruction of the Saunders Lot recognized as the first priority. Learn more about the other projects included in the plan at www.apexnc.org/downtownplan.
While parts of the lot will be closed temporarily, downtown is still open for business! Keep loving local, and showing your support for the unique shopping, dining, and service experiences downtown Apex has to offer.
Stay tuned about construction updates for the Saunders Lot, view shuttle service details, smart parking info, and more at www.apexnc.org/lot.
