BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Because customers are the lifeblood of downtown businesses, business owners these days are particularly worried about convenient, downtown parking.
With the extensive reconstruction of Fort Washington Way begun, it's harder than ever for visitors to make their way to the city's core and find a place to park.
"Parking is a serious, serious problem," said Phyllis Karp of Main Auction Galleries on Fourth Street. "How much more (the highway work) is going to affect us, I can't say."
But Downtown Cincinnati Inc., the downtown advocacy group, and the city of Cincinnati are trying to find ways to make it easier for people from the suburbs and beyond to get to downtown businesses.
DCI on Friday began distributing maps developed in conjunction with the city as part of a "Pathways to Parking" program to show visitors the easiest ways to get into downtown and point out garages with available space for visitors.
Garages have committed to keeping 2,200 spaces open for visitors -- meaning the parking operators won't rent out the spots on a monthly basis to downtown workers, said John Schneider of DCI.
"This is for the occasional visitor," Mr. Schneider said. "It's to be able to direct them to the center of town and its attractions."
The brochures outlining the locations of garages and new routes into downtown will be available at many downtown businesses or by calling 421-4440, ext. 101.
Ms. Karp welcomed the help.
"Whenever anyone can come up with an idea to benefit us, we think it's great. We need it," she said.
As more ramps into downtown from the downtown expressway close, visitors will have to come into town mainly from the east and west. DCI recommends these entrances:
- From Interstate 71 southbound, exit Gilbert Avenue to Eighth Street.
- From I-471 northbound, exit Sixth Street.
- From Columbia Parkway, take a left onto Pike Street at Fifth Street.
- From I-75 southbound or I-74, take the Seventh Street exit.
- From I-75 northbound, take the new Fifth Street exit.
Ramps onto westbound Fort Washington Way and exits from westbound Fort Washington Way into downtown are scheduled to close Aug. 1.
Ms. Karp has faith in her customers -- she said they will find ways to get to her business and park no matter what the problems. But she thinks more people should carpool or take the bus.
Above all, she said, everyone must keep in mind the result at the end of the $146.9 million overhaul of Fort Washington Way, scheduled for completion in August 2000.
"We just have to have patience because downtown will be improved and will benefit from it," she said.
