Optimist Hall will soon charge for parking. Charlotte had lots of opinions about that.

Paid parking starts next week at Charlotte’s popular Optimist Hall.

The move generated a lot of comments on social media, with some people saying they understand the need for the change, while others decried it.

Optimist Hall is partnering with LAZ Parking to transition to paid parking starting Aug. 15, the mixed-use development with a food hall said Tuesday on its social media sites. Optimist Hall told customers that It’s being done “to provide convenient and efficient parking.”

And the first 90 minutes at the site will remain free, Optimist Hall said. After that time, parking will cost $5 for up to three hours and $18 from three to 24 hours.

Customers can email questions to optimisthall@lazparking.com.

Optimist Hall is a short walk from the Parkwood Light Rail station and near the rail trail, which extends from uptown into Noda, according to the food hall’s website.

Mixed reaction to paid parking

Many comments on social media sites like Facebook and Reddit said Optimist’s Hall’s parking plan seemed reasonable since most people don’t stick around for hours.

“Probably needed to happen with the amount of people parking there,” one person said on Optimist Hall’s Facebook page.

“Went to Optimist on Saturday and noticed most people were going to the Charlotte FC game, assuming they parked and then took the lightrail to the game so their cars were probably parked for 3-4 hours,” a person on Reddit said.

“I hate paying for parking, but this shouldn’t change a thing for most people. The place is designed to be a place to grab a bite and hangout for a little while,” another Reddit user wrote.

However, some people said it will hurt the tenants at the food hall.

“I feel like the longer people stay the more they spend on food/drinks there,” one person said on Twitter.

Others took issue with the set pricing.

“Optimist Hall is going to charge people $18 to park there for 3 hours. That is completely insane,” another person tweeted.

And, some aren’t optimistic about paid parking at all at Optimist Hall.

“Optimist Hall charging for parking is ludicrous,” tweeted another person. “I don’t think it will have much of an impact on business because those who can afford to pay it will do so. It’s an already overpriced place and will just further drive the divide between who can enjoy Charlotte: rich or poor.”

About Optimist Hall

The 147,000-square-foot food hall at 1115 N. Brevard St. opened three years ago in a former textile mill, keeping some of the original features like hardwood floors, 14-foot ceilings, and brick and beam interiors.

Other tenants include: Archer Paper, Ava Pizzeria, Bao & Broth, Billy Sunday, Botiwalla, Boxcar Betty’s, Collier Candy Co., Duke Energy, Dumpling Lady, El Thrifty, Enat Ethiopian, Felix Empanadas, Fonta Flora Brewery, Harriet’s Hamburgers, Honeysuckle Gelato, mezeh, Noble Smoke, Papi Queso, Paradiso Plant Shop, Pet Wants, Spindle Bar, Suárez Bakery & Barra, Undercurrent Coffee, Velvet Taco, Village Juice, Xiao Bao and Zukku Sushi.

C5 editor Melissa Oyler contributed to this report