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Downtown business owners urge city help after customers lose parking; council to ask chamber for outreach
Summary
Several downtown business owners raised concerns that long-term parkers reduce customer access; the city said staff will reach out to the Chamber of Commerce and business license staff to pursue an educational outreach campaign.
Multiple downtown Newman business owners told the City Council during the public comment period that long-term parking by residents or employees is limiting customer access to storefronts.
An unnamed business owner said his customers struggle to find parking during his operating hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and asked whether spaces could be reserved for customers. The city replied it would have staff reach out to the speaker but noted that parking is largely shared among many businesses.
Aaron Cruz Valdez, who identified himself as the owner of a jewelry store, said cars associated with an upstairs apartment often park all day and that repeated long-term parking deters customers. “I get customer going around and around,” he said. He asked the city to talk to landlords and property owners about parking practices so customers have better access.
Council and staff response: Staff said they will contact the speaker and suggested outreach through the Newman Chamber of Commerce, which in the past ran a flyer asking employees to park in the plaza rather than in front of storefronts. Staff also said they would coordinate with the business license office to explore mailing an educational flyer to property owners and employers. The council did not adopt any regulatory parking change at the meeting; the action was a staff direction to pursue outreach.
