CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Following several recent business closures, the City of Clarksville's Parking Commission is responding with a new free parking initiative aimed at driving business downtown.

Jody Isaacs opened the Clarksville Collection downtown 11 years ago.

“Once the downtown commons came, then people started coming, then buildings started filling,” she recalled.

Despite the rapid growth, several of her neighbors have fallen on hard times. The City Market, a wine bar and a wings restaurant around her have closed up shop.

“So here we are now in one of those ebb and flow times, but I think the world is going through it, too. But this particular downtown, I think that we just need a greater hug with one another to get things really going,” Isaacs said.

Starting Aug. 1, the City of Clarksville Parking Commission will allow two hours of free street parking downtown. Patrons can scan, download the Park Mobile app, or scan the QR code and enter their car’s information to take advantage of the free parking. The free parking does not apply to downtown garages.

"I think that we can liven up our downtown and one is having a welcoming attitude toward it, which is visible, and actionable, which is the two-hour free parking,” Isaacs said.

Usually, Clarksville brings in just under $200,000 a year from street parking. It's not clear how much the new initiative will cause that to dip.

All meters and downtown garages are already free after 5 p.m. on weekdays, during the weekend and on city holidays.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/clarksville/clarksville-adds-free-parking-downtown-for-up-to-2-hours-to-help-businesses/