New Parking Restrictions in Effect Downtown

If you've driven downtown in the last week or so, chances are you noticed the giant electronic sign flashing 'new parking restrictions enforced.'

The sign refers to new restrictions that have been enacted on certain side streets downtown where there had been no previous parking restrictions on either side of the street.

The lack of restrictions could prove to be a hazard, according to city official Joe Cooper.

"On some side streets there were no 'no parking restrictions' on either side of the street, so it could be difficult for emergency vehicles to get down the street," Cooper said.

"Now every street has at least one restricted parking side."

Cooper said for the most part the new restrictions shouldn't affect downtown parking very much.

He advised vistiors to use the city lots and to double check when parking on side streets to make sure you're not parking on a restricted side.