Valet Parking Hurting Business In Bishop Arts District

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DALLAS (CBS11) - A petition surfaced this week arguing for the removal or modification to valet parking in Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff.

Some businesses owners feel the valet services creates more congestion, less parking and drives certain customers away from using the area.

"Sometimes the parking is a little crazy. It's hard to find a spot," said Hannah Spence, a Bishop Arts shopper.

A few of the smaller, business owners feel locals who live in the area do not want to frequent the area because of the traffic and parking headaches.

"Lots of locals don't come down here anymore because it's hard to find a parking spot and they don't feel like they want to valet within their owner neighborhood," said John Hossley, who owns Neighborhood.

Hossley said the current setup has zero benefit for his shop. He feels folks using valet usually hit their one eatery and then take off.

"The fact that a lot of people want to come down here, that's great. As a business owner, we love it. But it's just getting harder and harder for people to actually get down here," said Hossley.

The gridlock grumbling is now boiling over in the form of a survey and petition. It is urging city council to take a second look at valet in Bishop Arts or get rid of it all together.

"It's just one of the growing pains that comes with success," said Scott Griggs, Dallas City Council member.

Griggs said the valet stands are not going anywhere. He is working on creating a better balance between valet, cyclists, walkers and now a trolley.

Six months ago, he saw the writing on the wall and commissioned a study that will hopefully soon offer some solutions.

"What Bishop Arts is going through is no different than what Knox/Henderson went through and Greenville," said Griggs.

Griggs said he is hoping to released he new study within a few weeks.

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