The City of Houston is seeking opinions about parking in the downtown business district.
Are changes needed? Or are things working fine?
Those are questions the Houston City Council hopes to answer after seeking input during a public meeting and in written comments. Two-hour parking is already in place at some spots on Grand Avenue.
The public hearing is 5 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Houston City Hall. Persons also can send written comments to the city clerk or city administrator at Houston City Hall, 601 S. Grand Ave., Houston, Missouri, 65483.
There are two buildings in downtown Houston near the pawnshop that are in heavy disrepair. They are not only and eyesore, with the broken windows and falling facades, they are a safety hazard too. If the city were to take possession of them and incur the cost of razing them (which admittedly may be substantial), the space created could make for great parking. Easy parking with short walks could enhance the possibility of surrounding properties being developed. And developing downtown is a desired byproduct of the new sports complex being invested in a few blocks away. It seems like natural synergy.