SALINAS - Some Old Town Salinas business owners are worried about their bottom line.
Central Coast News told you last month how businesses were concerned about the parking situation after Taylor Farms started construction on its 97,000 quare feet building.
"It's been slower now, especially on my busier days," said James Sang, co-owner of Sang's Cafe.
Sang and his brother have been owning their business in Salinas for about 20 years.
And business has been steady.
But after Taylor Farms started building in the area where his customers used to park, his business has taken a dip.
"I notice the first couple of weeks that they closed it down our business did drop and before that my business was busier," Sang said.
Sang said that's because parking is a challenge for customers now.
Either they can't find it, or they refuse to walk from a lot or pay up.
On Wednesday, Sang took his concerns to the city when it held a meeting with businesses.
One thing businesses are asking the city for are free parking validation for customers who park in the parking garage.
"If we could highlight those alley ways, it would make people feel more comfortable walking there, getting to the parking lot. Unforunately, the parking lots over there is very, very dark," he said.
The city said while Sang has good ideas, it can't afford to implement them all.
It doesn't have money to dedicate to lighting improvements.
As far as free validation parking, that's money the city needs to keep the garage running.
The city hopes it can meet businesses halfway on a solution.
Sang was the only business owner that turned out at this meeting with the city.
The city hopes at its meeting next month, more business owners will turn out.
