By Ray King

On Monday night, the Pine Bluff City Council approved an ordinance to eliminate parking requirements for businesses locating in the downtown area. Councilmember Joni Alexander cast the only no vote and on Tuesday, explained to Deltaplex News why.

Prior to the council’s action, new businesses built downtown was required to provide a minimum number of parking spaces and offered an example.

She said the Streetscape project has already taken up some of the parking spaces that were previously available, then mentioned an existing downtown business and how they deal with parking.

Alexander was asked if there are plans to build a parking garage or parking lots on city property.