Gastonia to negotiate two‑year lease with U.S. Postal Service for 28 downtown parking spaces

City Manager Michael Peoples told the council the city has discussed locating designated parking downtown for USPS workers and proposed directing staff and legal counsel to finalize an agreement for 28 spaces for an estimated $10,000 per year. "There would be compensation for those 28 parking spaces equal to $10,000 per year," Peoples said, adding the funds could be used for downtown parking improvements.

Council members raised practical questions about signage and towing authority. Peoples said the Postal Service did not plan to erect signage immediately but reserved the right to do so; legal counsel said towing from those spaces would be contingent on the presence of signs that meet the city's towing ordinance. Council voted unanimously to direct staff and the city attorney to finalize and execute the agreement; no opposition was recorded.