The Indianola City Council gave direction to city staff on new Indianola downtown square parking changes at their most recent meeting Monday evening. City Manager Ryan Waller tells KNIA News the combination of the construction and businesses opening up forced some changes.

“We have been hearing from business owners that the 3-hour parking restriction doesn’t necessarily work for a lot of the operations that they do. For example, with the salons opening up, many appointments take longer than 3 hours. Well that poses difficulty for our businesses and those clients visiting them, and then if we want them to shop at other shops around the square, or stop and have lunch around the square after their appointment. The parking restrictions don’t really allow for that, it’s not a welcome and friendly environment conducive to a friendly and welcoming downtown experience.”

The 3-hour parking restriction is put on hold for the time being, and the city is working with the chamber and square businesses to come up with a better solution for the current situation and the future.