Blocking street hurts parking lot business near Covelli Centre

The owner of three parking lots next to the Covelli Centre said today his business is taking a huge hit because the city has blocked off all but one lane of vehicular traffic on Front Street when there are events at the facility.

“It’s been impacting business,” said Ray Jaminet, an architect who owns three lots with about 300 parking spots in total, off of East Front Street, the location of the center. “Instead of 200 to 250 cars [for major events], we’re getting 100 to 150. I want them to open the street. I just want them to stop interfering with our business. That’s the bottom line.”

East Front between Champion and Walnut streets is closed except for one eastbound lane of traffic when there are events at the city-owned center. Jaminet’s lots are off of Champion Street.

Eric Ryan, the center’s executive director, “totally agrees” with Jaminet that all of Front Street should be opened.

“I have no idea why police are blocking off Front Street,” Ryan said. “None of Front Street should be blocked off.”

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com