One of the two US 31 businesses in Crothersville impacted by last month’s restricted parking told the town council that his business is down because of the parking ban.
Randy Richey, owner of Stop In Liquors, said the town council’s move to restrict parking on the east side of US 31 is harming his business and asked them to reconsider the ban.
“Our customer count is down,” he told the council. “A lot of our customers use us because of convenience and if we aren’t convenient for them, they will go elsewhere.”
There are only two businesses in the block-long stretch in downtown Crothersville—Stop-In Liquors and Subway. The council requested INDOT (which has jurisdiction over the roadway) to make the east side no parking from Howard to Main Streets because of traffic congestion with semi’s and parked vehicles during the lunchtime rush at the local sandwich shop.
“You didn’t check with either of (the businesses) before you made the east side of the business district no parking,” Richey said to the council. “Why not make it 10 minute parking or no semi parking rather than closing half of downtown to parking for just a lunchtime crowd?”
“When we opened the parking lot on the east side of the street we provided the same number of parking spots we took away,” explained councilman Jamy Greathouse.
“But a lot of people do not realize that the parking area is for the public,” said Richey.
Councilwoman Jerilyn Masters acknowledged that the town should put up some “Public Parking” signs to direct business customers to the new parking lot.
“We don’t want to do anything to deter business, but we want to keep the downtown safe,” said Greathouse. “Let’s see if we can find a happy medium.”
Richey pointed out that the two new ‘Welcome to Crothersville’ signs the council had installed at each end of town claim that Crothersville is ‘Open For Business’.
“Please help me stay in business,” he said.
In other matters, the council:
•Approved the bid from D&D HVAC of Austin for $6,600 to replace the heating and cooling system at the Crothersville Police Department.
•Approved spending up to $2,500 to replace drywall at the police department.
•Tabled again any action on replacing the town’s tornado siren until three quotes can be obtained making the emergency notification replacement grant eligible.
•Unanimously agreed to observe the federally designated Juneteeth as a local holiday.
•Agreed to get appraisals to purchase property at 301 E, Main St. The property has been the focus of the Unsafe Building committee for sometime. It is of historical significanxe to the community in that is contains the town first log cabin constructed in 1858.
•Agreed to suspend the portion of the town’s animal ordinance permitting town workers to impound stray animals.
•Unanimously agreed to increase the utility director’s pay from $26.78 to $33 per hour.