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GRBJ: Monroe North owners express parking concerns

City says it's working with businesses on 'regulated' parking options.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Business owners in Monroe North are clearing the air on parking.

Following the multiphase land swap with the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Valley State University and Kent County, members of the Monroe North Business Association had an open discussion with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Mobile GR to voice their concerns about how new developments in the area are putting constraints on parking.

Josh Naramore, manager of Mobile GR and Parking Services, said there are currently about 700 on-street parking spaces in the area with plans to add more. There are 350 on-street metered parking spaces and another 325 limited-time, on-street parking spaces in the area, all free on weekends. There also are about 3,300 off-street parking spaces in the Monroe North sector.

John Zwarensteyn, CEO of Gemini Publications, the Business Journal’s parent company, brought up what he viewed as some major parking conflicts, indicating Monroe North typically has been viewed as an alternative for businesses looking for inexpensive parking.

“The city always puts out information that there are plenty of vacancies, plenty of parking spaces, and then the business’s approach is ‘no there aren’t,’” he said. “There aren’t enough convenient spaces for visitors or their employees. They have to go further and further out.”

To read the entire story, visit the Grand Rapids Business Journal's website.

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