Even with the sounds and sights of busy construction, shops along Virginia Street in Midtown are keeping busy, partly due to temporary parking spots created by RTC.
"We have about 85 new temporary parking spots in place, so it's actually easier than ever to get into midtown, find parking and get where you need to go," said Lauren Ball with RTC.
Those spots are between Thoma and Moran streets, Vassar and Arroyo streets, and Pueblo and Mt. Rose streets as well as a parking lot devoted for midtown parking behind the Ponderosa Hotel. Most of the businesses we spoke to were impressed with the options for parking, and some even reported increased business.
“It was a surprise to me, I came in last Monday and was really excited about it because now people can park out there, it’s actually more convenient than before," said Kayla Sisson, owner of JoStella Coffee.
"They switched it from parallel parking to this diagonal parking, increasing the spots, so my customers have been very happy with it,” said owner of DragonFly Bath and Body Mike Dunne.
Some shops told us they are seeing a slight decrease in business, but others like Shea's Tavern and Homegrown Gastro Pub tell us they can’t wait for the change.
“With the wider sidewalks and benches and trees, it will make midtown more desirable overall in the long run, so it will be worth it," said owner Spencer Shea.
With northbound lanes closed down from Liberty to Plumb, drivers can use alternate routes like Mt. Rose to Plumas or Holcomb to Center Street, and side streets leading to Virginia remain open.
RTC has also partnered with Lyft, so customers getting a ride to midtown can get half off their fare up to $10.
