Business owners discuss Main Street Washington

    A group of about 20 people gathered in the Washington Public Library Tuesday evening to talk about issues that affect downtown businesses. Main Street Washington put on the meeting to get feedback about the organization?s programs and how it could better serve the shops in the super-square.

    Parking was the problem that received the most attention at the meeting. Heather Leyden, who owns a business downtown, said that she wants to see two-hour parking return to the entire downtown, which was enforced during the downtown enhancement project. 

    ?If someone parks there for eight hours straight, that doesn?t let any of my people come and go, and we have a lot of elderly people who come to our store.?

    ?Do you feel the signs do anything for your business?? asked Main Street Director Amy Vetter.

    ?I never had the problem before. If you don?t have a sign there, they [the police] cannot do anything about it,? commented Leyden. ?They can say it?s in the ordinance, but unless the sign is posted, I can?t say anything.?

For more, see our March 31 print edition.