The City of Columbus, which last summer freed up 125 parking spaces on Summit and Fourth Streets in Italian Village by lifting rush-hour parking restrictions, is now implementing a similar plan on High Street.
A total of 122 meters between Goodale Street and King Avenue will have the restrictions lifted starting in February, meaning that meter spots will be available even during rush hour. Currently, parking is restricted on weekdays from 7 to 9am at all of the 103 meters between Poplar Avenue and King as well as the ten meters on the I-670 cap. The meters on the cap also have a 4 to 6pm restriction, as do nine meters on the east side of High between 5th and 6th Avenues.
City crews will begin reprogramming meters and removing “No Stopping” signs soon, with the goal of being finished by March, weather permitting.
The move, which followed a traffic study by the Department of Public Service, was made in response to business and neighborhood concerns about a lack of parking in the district.
“The Short North is a top destination for shopping and entertainment from the morning, the afternoon and well into the evening,” said Public Service Director Tracie Davies. “Removal of these parking restrictions meets the needs of visitors and residents who contribute to the Short North’s vitality.”
Betsy Pandora of the Short North Alliance applauded the move, calling it “a huge win for our small business community.” She added that “area businesses have been asking for this important change for a long time, but have identified it as a critical need since the closure of the city lots in the southern end of the district this fall.”
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