Downtown business owners want the city to help with parking issues

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – With construction, the downtown explosion, and the new street parking, downtown business owners believe a good way to help their businesses would be for the city to provide more convenient parking.

The road construction downtown has created wider sidewalks and bicycle lanes but eliminated some of the old street parking in front of businesses.

Some owners say they have been trying to work with city officials to help inform people coming into the downtown area where parking is available.

“We’re hopeful that the city is going to assist us in getting parking available downtown. There are plenty of parking lots down here. People don’t know where they are, when they can park there, or how to get to them, so we’re hoping that we get those open,” said business owner Jeff Kurz.

Owners say they have also been working to eliminate the hefty fines being assessed against those who park in the wrong lots — some have even had their cars towed away.