VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Visitors to Volusia County beaches often find parking to be a problem whether on the beach or off.
County leaders have spent millions of dollars on land for parking lots, but much of that land sits unused.
Leaders want to make it easier by finally building parking lots on land near the beach they've been holding onto for years.
Some beachgoers told Channel 9's Blaine Tolison that they would welcome more parking lots just off the beach.
"It's real important because we have a small car, and I'm afraid it will get stuck in the sand. That's my main problem," tourist Kim Caldwell said.
Raw: Tourists talk about importance of off-beach parking
County leaders said they will have to borrow more than $8 million to get more parking areas open.
Not everyone is happy with the idea of the land being used for parking.
Business owner Abdul Alkorek said more parking for others means shutting the doors of his gas station and tire shop for good. He has been leasing county-owned property in Ormond Beach since 1992.
"What are you going to do? You can't fight the government," Alkorek said. "I'm small fish in the ocean. They want me to stay, see what happens, they want me to leave. Hopefully they give me something for relocation."
County officials said the biggest reason for turning the unused properties into parking lots is because there is a need. They also said it makes good financial sense.
Officials said low interest rates will allow them to repay loans at a fair price for taxpayers.
Some visitors said it can't happen soon enough.
County leaders said they will vote on the funding for off-beach parking before fall, when they finalize the budget.
WFTV
