AUSTIN, Texas — Some business owners in Downtown Austin say new parking changes on Sixth Street are causing major issues.
Mark Frappier is the general manager of Casino El Camino, a popular wing and burger spot that’s been in business on Sixth Street for almost 30 years. He said there has been parking in front of his business for a long time, along Sixth Street near Red River Street, but not anymore.
“For us as well as every other neighbors, it’s been making delivers an absolute nightmare,” he said. “They are not making it easy for anyone who has to conduct business down here.”
He’s said the “no parking” signs along Sixth Street went up more than a month ago.
“They put up the barriers outside the steel gates,” said Frappier. “One of my drivers did get a $500 ticket a week-and-half ago for pulling up in this area.”
The barriers are part of a city pilot project opening Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on the weekends.
Frappier said other delivery drivers have also gotten tickets. He said the drivers were told by the city they can use the alley behind the businesses.
“Half the time the alley access is cut off,” he said. “When they do – they told them they could use the alley – when they do, they are so terrified to leave their trucks in the alley.”
The Austin Transportation Department issued a statement to KVUE:
“To install safety materials such as flex posts, rubber curb stops and fencing that expanded space for pedestrians, the city of Austin removed some parking spaces along Sixth Street. Delivery vehicles are still able to use a travel lane to conduct loading and unloading activity. If you’re able to provide a record of the parking citation, we’d be happy to look into that with our staff.”
Frappier said he wants to see changes to the new rules.
“At least if it could go to loading/unloading zone that would be great,” he said. “Or a two-hour parking like it used to be, that would be great. But to have extra lanes on Sixth Street blocked off, the busiest hub where every delivery goes downtown, has to exit from 35 north or south and come right now here.”