Parking attendants return to Henderson

Henderson, Ky. (WEHT) – For more than two years people, have been able to park in downtown Henderson without the fear of receiving a parking ticket-that is changing.

With the end of the pandemic people are getting out, which means it is more difficult to find a good parking spot in places like Henderson.

Holli Blanford, the City of Henderson’s Public Information Officer says, “Our downtown is thriving and we are growing and we love to see it and so with that comes the need for parking.”

Close parking can be hard to find in a growing business district.

This brings challenges to business owners who want their customers to have a convenient place to park.

Wanda Sauer has been pushing for an attendant for years.

She says the lack of parking enforcement has affected her shop.

Sauer says, “Employees would park in front of the stores and their own business which leaves less parking for customers.”

Sauer continues, “If our customers can’t get close to the enough, they’re not going to stop, that means they’re not going to shop and then you end up closing up.”

The city will enforce a 3-hour parking rule, but drivers will get a grace period.

Attendants will only hand out warnings for the first month,  but in August the fines get real.

Holli Blanford says this is help drivers and businesses.

Blanford says, “Allowing folks to kind of have that in and out flow of only having three hours to park when they’re visiting a store or you know a retail shop downtown, it gives everyone the chance to come downtown to Henderson and enjoy it.”

Both business owners and city officials agree,  this adjustment is to give everybody the chance to shop local and free up parking.

Sauer says, “We want them to have the opportunity they can park their car even in front of my store, walk to the other stores, we’re good for that or walk around the counter to tacoholics, we’re okay with that as long as they’re purchasing customers.”

However, overdue parking is not the only citation that will be issued.

Other violations include — parking in handicap spots — parking in front of fire hydrants — and parking in loading zones.

Fines start at 10-dollars.

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