Euclid to add new parking lot downtown

EUCLID, Ohio (WOIO) - The city of Euclid announced on Tuesday that it acquired the spot for a new parking lot downtown.

According to a Facebook post, the city acquired the former Great Scott Tavern parking lot on Lakeshore Boulevard to improve access for visitors and patrons.

“It’s really nice that the city came in and purchased it. They are really trying to make an effort to revitalize the downtown area. And it’s been difficult to attract new businesses to this strip with the limited parking options that there were,” said Jeoff Lawrence who helps run Lakeshore Coffee House.

City officials said in a release that they hope this initiative can help to foster community engagement and economic growth downtown.

“The acquisition of this parking lot is great news and exactly what we needed to make downtown more accessible and welcoming,” said Euclid City Councilmember Tara Hannum.

According to the release, the city expected a large boom to downtown businesses like Beach Club Bistro, Lakeshore Coffee House and Omni Board Game Parlor, where parking during peak hours used to deter patrons.

This is a fantastic development for us. I’m smiling from ear to ear,“ he beamed. “This will open up the downtown business district to more people, and it will serve the whole area in a very positive way—I couldn’t be happier,” Greg Lawrence, owner of Lakeshore Coffee House and a collaborative member of the Downtown Euclid Improvement Corporation.

The parking lot will be open to the public as soon as the city closes on the property, which could be as early as August.