×

Parkersburg makes adjustments for COVID-19 concerns

Free downtown parking, streaming council meeting

Metered parking spaces, like these in the 400 block of Market Street, are now free, for 15 minutes at a time, on Market Street between Eighth and Third streets and Seventh Street between Juliana and Market in downtown Parkersburg in an effort to facilitate access to businesses, particularly restaurants offering only carryout service, Mayor Tom Joyce said Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Mayor Tom Joyce made parking free in portions of downtown Parkersburg Wednesday and closed some restrooms at city parks in response to ongoing COVID-19 issues.

Shifting parking to free 15-minute intervals from Eighth to Third Street on Market Street and Juliana to Market on Seventh Street was done to help downtown eateries adapt to the statewide closure of restaurants and bars for dine-in activity. The restroom closures are an effort to prevent the theft of more toilet paper and soap from park bathrooms.

Joyce acknowledged the city will lose some revenue as a result of not requiring motorists to feed meters when they come downtown, but it’s hoped the move will facilitate people patronizing restaurants with pickup orders.

“The financial impact this measure will have on the city’s Parking Fund will pale in comparison to the impact these small businesses are already feeling,” Joyce said.

The action was appreciated by Doris Clegg, executive chef and owner of Mango Latin Bistro at Seventh and Market streets.

“We think it’s going to be beneficial because people don’t have to bring change and worry about finding a place to park,” she said.

Clegg said she appreciated the number of customers placing pickup orders Tuesday as the restaurant operated from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and she hopes people will continue to support local businesses when they can.

“It’s hard for everybody. We’re all in the same boat,” she said.

Joyce said that after soap and toilet paper were stolen from some park bathrooms, all but the main restroom next to the City Park pavilion and the restroom at Southwood Park’s playground would be closed to minimize the loss of supplies.

The parks themselves will remain open until public health officials advise otherwise or resources can no longer support it, Joyce said.

“Folks should continue to practice social distancing while they’re at the park,” he said.

Tuesday’s City Council meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube so people can observe it without attending, Joyce said.

“Right now the plan is to just go ahead and meet on Tuesday and just have it closed to the public,” Council President Mike Reynolds said.

Since the meeting is being streamed online, that option has been given general approval by the West Virginia Ethics Commission.

Reynolds noted the physical absence of the public will impact some city business.

“Anything that requires a public hearing, we won’t be able to do those,” he said.

Parkersburg officials are monitoring absenteeism and so far have seen no impact on essential services because of call-offs, Joyce said.

“The city is continuing the daily monitoring of critical supply inventories, and we have made arrangements to secure said supplies as necessary to extend availability,” he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today