Lexington, KY (LEX 18) — Lexington new parking policy has been in place because the starting of the yr, however enterprise proprietor complaints have solely escalated in latest weeks.
“It’s very irritating as a result of eating places are struggling proper now anyway. I acquired
Patrons are actually required to pay for parking Monday by means of Saturday from 9am to 9pm. That is his further day and additional hours.
Gross mentioned she would have labored elsewhere in Lexington if her boss hadn’t out-of-pocket parking charges for downtown staff.
Along with rising costs, enterprise house owners and staff are complicated parking modifications.
“Some spots are $2 an hour, some are 75 cents an hour. I do not know.
LexPark mentioned the change was essential to adjust to the brand new parking gross sales tax and enhance parking whereas rising parking turnover.
Over the following 6 weeks, LexPark will write warnings till the motive force has a greater grasp of the modifications.
LexPark Government Director Gary Means mentioned: “We’re assured that we’re not going to place something downtown that it will probably’t deal with, that it will probably’t recover from, and this actually thrives.”
For Sarah Brown, proprietor of Lussi Brown Espresso Bar, the issue is not the change itself, however the course of resulting in it.
“This can be a change that impacts everybody, and nobody was notified or requested for enter,” Brown mentioned.
Across the nook, Lisa Cox, proprietor of Sidebar Grill, noticed drivers confused by parking modifications. Even her staff energy her parking meters all through the day to maintain their vehicles parked close by.
“It’s totally inconvenient. When it comes time to rent once more, there can be quite a lot of issues getting folks to drive…they are going to go locations the place they do not must pay.
An extended-time Limestone Road resident, Cox fears the added annoyance of downtown parking will alienate patrons fully and alter the tradition of downtown Lexington.
“Whenever you push out all of the mom-and-pop locations, there isn’t any character left,” Cox mentioned.
“It is onerous to remain aggressive with locations like Hamburg and Summit the place parking is free and you’ll keep so long as you need,” reiterated Mr Brown.
Amid enterprise house owners’ issues about parking, LexPark is gathering information to find out whether or not new guidelines could be relaxed.
“To get it proper, all of us agreed that we might embrace a rise in sunlight hours. The true coffin nail for a few of these locations is 5 to 9.” Cox mentioned.
As soon as on the curb from bumper to bumper, enterprise house owners need a seat on the desk because the parking zone dialog continues.
“This can be a a lot larger downside than just a few enterprise house owners fear about parking,” mentioned Brown. “This may have an effect on your complete downtown Lexington surroundings.”