Metered Parking Returns To Lakewood June 1

LAKEWOOD, OH — With businesses reopening, Lakewood is ending its free parking policy. Metered parking enforcement will resume June 1, the city announced on Friday.

Lakewood officials declared a moratorium on metered parking enforcement on March 18. The goal was to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 quarantine and to encourage residents to shop remotely or to pick-up food.

"As more and more businesses continue to reopen including retail stores, restaurants, hair salons and nail salons, it is important that parking spaces are turned over. Metered parking increases turnover and helps ensure parking spaces are available for customers," the city said in a statement on its website.

This week, Mayor Meghan George announced a slate of voluntary furloughs for Lakewood municipal employees, cleveland.com reported. She said the city was feeling the economic contraction caused by COVID-19.