A Publix and Hampton Inn are in the works in the Railroad Square and All Saints District of Tallahassee. But, as the new buildings are underway, parking has become trickier, and it’s raising concerns for local businesses about the future.The unpaved parking lot near the corner of Railroad Avenue and Gaines Street has been permanently closed in anticipation of the new businesses. Gary Yost of near-by Yosties Chili Parlor said the damage was seen last Friday, at Railroad Square's monthly First Friday event.
"You know, residents and patrons of Railroad, or All Saints District, should have options of where to park," Yost said. "Why should we suffer? You know the small business people, we’re the ones that suffer. And there’s no compensation for us. All Saints, Bread N Roses, myself, even people of Railroad Square. People that came here Friday, that said, “Oh, my god. I can’t park,” and went home. What about all those people? You know, the Crumbox, and those people. They all lost business Friday."
Yost says he’d like better communication between the new, incoming businesses and local owners.
"They could’ve waited until after the First Friday to finish the lot off, but the people that fenced it are unaware of the First Friday situation," Yost said. "Why? Because no one from the city came down and said, 'Hey, folks. You’re putting a fence up on Thursday, but tomorrow’s First Friday. If you could just wait one more day.' Then, we could have a whole other month to plan for next month. But it didn’t work that way. Hindsight’s twenty-twenty."
For now, local businesses have directed customers to meter parking, and the Turnbull Parking Garage nearby.
