New Parking Options for Business Owners in Bowling Green

City Announces New Parking Initiative

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Downtown Bowling Green has come up with a new solution for the parking woes experienced by local businesses. In an announcement made on April 17, the city detailed plans for two parking lots designated for business owners. The lots, located at 816 State St. and Paxton Lot off of E 10th Ave., will provide approximately 120 reserved parking spots for business employees, thereby freeing up spots nearer to the businesses for customers.

Downtown Development Director Speaks

The initiative, implemented by Bowling Green Downtown Development Director, Telia Butler, was devised through discussions with local business leaders to determine a solution that best served their parking needs. According to the new plan, the reserved parking spots for employees will be available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During non-business hours, these spots will be available for public use, similar to other areas throughout Bowling Green. However, the intentions behind the plan are clear – prioritizing customer accessibility and comfort in the city’s central business district.

Parking Frustrations for Local Businesses

Many local business owners are thrilled with the introduction of these parking spots. Matthew Bratcher, one local business owner, expressed his relief, stating that limited parking has consistently been a major challenge for his business and its customers. “We have a lot of customers coming in who are sick, or maybe they’re disabled, so they need to park close. That becomes a problem. Having access to more parking spaces would definitely improve commerce downtown,” said Bratcher.

This new initiative is seen as a breath of fresh air and is greatly alleviating parking-related stress for local businesses. Bratcher, for instance, even considered relocating his business to address the parking issue.

Details of the New Parking Lease

The city has set the lease rate at $35 per parking spot per month. There will be a one-time fee of $25 to install a reserved parking sign. If the sign is damaged or vandalized, the city pledges to replace it free of charge. Businesses have the option to lease these parking spots monthly, quarterly, or annually, with the flexibility to cancel anytime by giving a 30-day notice. Interested business owners can kickstart the process by visiting the BGKY’s website.

As businesses continue to thrive and grow in Bowling Green, these selected parking spots could prove to be a game-changer, making the downtown area more accessible and customer-friendly. This initiative is a direct reflection of the city’s commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive environment for local businesses.