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Parking in a tight spot: Downtown Baton Rouge

8 years 7 months 1 week ago Thursday, August 20 2015 Aug 20, 2015 August 20, 2015 11:55 PM August 20, 2015 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - Drivers, workers and customers of downtown businesses are stuck in a tight spot; a parking spot.

Workers have complained about a lack of parking recently as construction increases in the downtown area. Police have said officers are ticketing more drivers who park illegally.

Restaurant workers said they are feeling the pain the most.

"I worked five days... Two of those days are doubles where I leave early and have to come back," Taylor Purcell said as she served tables at a downtown restaurant Thursday evening. Purcell said it might cost her $30-$40 a week to park.

"I don't have $5 to pay every time I work," she added.

Purcell admitted, like many have been doing recently, she parked in illegal spots. Sometimes, she parks in loading zones. She is one of the drivers police are ticketing.

Others, though, argue people are feeling the pains of a growing community.

"That's just living in an urban environment. Working and living," downtown dweller Norman Chenevert told WBRZ reporter Brett Buffington for a story that aired on WBRZ News 2 at 10:00 Thursday.

Downtown planners advise drivers there are enough spots, people just need to be willing to look and walk. Click HERE for a parking guide to downtown.

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Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

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