Clarion Borough Council Nov. 2 approved borough-wide free parking for the upcoming holiday season.
Downtown business owner Jim Crooks, a member of “Destination Clarion Downtown,” addressed council, explaining the benefits of free parking.
Council approved free parking from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27 and from Dec. 14 through Dec. 24.
Crooks said some borough officials believed it was unnecessary to have free parking through all of December, so he suggested 11 days instead.
Crooks said he and other business owners plan to place white bags over parking meters that say, “Happy Holidays Free two-hour parking from the Clarion Borough Council,” on the designated days.
While the free parking period is borough-wide, the courtesy bags will be placed over meters along Main Street from Fourth to Seventh Avenues and along Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues from Liberty to Wood Street.
Last year, Destination Clarion Downtown used stickers, but the group decided to use the less expensive and easier-to-use bags for 2021.
In 2020, Destination Clarion Downtown placed more than 140 stickers on meters for free parking.
Crooks said that a major bank sponsored free parking in Warren.
Crooks explained a sponsor could be used for 2021’s free parking.