As a longtime downtown business owner and resident, I recognize the challenges we have doing business in this part of town. Downtown businesses, residents and patrons face two significant challenges: parking and safety.
Both of these are primarily problems of perception. The safety issue stems from isolated incidents that have been perceived to be the norm for downtown. If people believe downtown is unsafe, they won’t patronize downtown. Safety concerns can be addressed in a number of ways: through media and education, through events, and through an improved parking system, to name a few.
The perceived lack of parking, or free parking to be more specific, is a deterrent to people who might consider patronizing downtown businesses and enjoying the downtown attractions. The perceived lack of safety is another significant challenge preventing some from even considering going downtown.