Downtown businesses urge Central council to add marked parking, tap hospitality funds

Sarah Levitt, owner of Jitters Brewing Company, told the Town of Central council on Feb. 10 that downtown businesses need more marked parking and wayfinding signs to keep customers from treating downtown as a thoroughfare.

"It is imperative that as our population grows, parking be added and be marked," Levitt said during the public comment period. She told the council that downtown businesses have paid into the town's hospitality tax and argued that at least a portion of those funds should be earmarked to support measures that would attract and retain customers.

The petition that Levitt referenced was submitted by the Main Street District Merchants and dated Jan. 27. Mayor (name not specified) told the council the petition asks the town to "enforce our account codes on, on vacant buildings." The mayor said he will offer a potential solution for discussion at the council's next work session.

Levitt described the economic stakes for local businesses: she said more marked parking, sidewalks and way signs would increase the chance that passing motorists stop and patronize multiple downtown businesses. "It is time that our elected council members come alongside our community, supporting growth by assigning funds immediately to make public parking more accessible," she said.

Councilman Peake said he would look up the town code that governs hospitality funds and report back; the council did not take an immediate vote on spending changes in the meeting. No formal action to reallocate hospitality-tax funds or to adopt new enforcement steps was taken; the mayor said the petition and the matter of vacant buildings will return to the council's work session next month for further discussion.

The public comment and petition drew a single public speaker at the meeting; council members and staff noted the concern and indicated staff and council would pursue follow-up at an upcoming work session.