Thousands sign petition to preserve Indianola Ave. parking

Columbus, Ohio – More than 2,271 people have signed petitions asking that the City of Columbus reconsider current bike lane plans that greatly restrict safe parking along a three-block stretch of Indianola Ave. On Friday, business owners from the impacted area will present the petitions, generated on Change.org and in-person petitions, to the office of Mayor Andy Ginther at Columbus City Hall.

“Parking is critical to the survival of the small businesses between Weber and Midgard roads,” said April Rhodes, owner of Little Light Collective. “As if getting through the pandemic’s lockdown wasn’t difficult enough, now our businesses are faced with losing about 64 percent of the parking along Indianola. We hope our signatures will make a difference.”

Area business owners have been clear -- a bike lane is a welcome part of the neighborhood. A previous plan, “Option 4,” removed about 50 percent of current parking and the businesses agreed to this plan. However, in late December 2021, another plan was put forth, without involvement of local businesses, that removed significantly more parking.

“The number of people signing these petitions and offering their comments and insights on the situation is remarkable,” said Eric Brembeck, owner of Studio 35 Cinema and Drafthouse. “Most of the signers support our businesses and recognize that parking is essential. For someone buying furniture or art, coming to a late-night movie, or for a person with limited mobility, the availability of safe, accessible parking on Indianola is fundamental.”

The City of Columbus commissioned a study engineer to assess the bike lane plan and this report said in part: “Although the number of available parking spaces that would remain from removing parking on one side of the road seems feasible when considering the entire corridor, it is understood that removing parking on both sides within the vicinity of the existing business district would create an unacceptable burden. To alleviate this burden, a hybrid parking application was developed… No removal between Weber Road and Midgard.”

Business owners and the Clintonville Area Business Association will continue to contact the Mayor’s Office, Columbus City Council, and the Columbus Public Service Department about the bike lane plan and its impact to the three-block area along Indianola Ave. A plan that allows for a shared bike lane, along with parking on both sides of the street, would accommodate all interests.