Downtown business owners in Youngstown, Ohio believe that more convenient parking would benefit their business, especially with ongoing construction, the downtown explosion, and new street parking. The road construction in the area has resulted in wider sidewalks and bicycle lanes but has also led to the elimination of some old street parking in front of businesses.
Owners have been in contact with city officials to collaborate on informing people coming into downtown about available parking options. They hope that the city will assist in making parking more accessible downtown, as there are plenty of parking lots available but people are often unaware of their location, regulations, and how to access them.
Jeff Kurz, a business owner, expressed hope that the city would work with them to ensure parking is readily available in the area. Many owners have also been working to address the issue of hefty fines being imposed on individuals who park in the wrong lots, with some cars even being towed away. This has been a concern for both business owners and patrons as they seek to navigate the evolving parking situation downtown.