Hannibal looking at allowing businesses to lease parking spots

HANNIBAL, Mo. — After a downtown business owner asked to lease two parking places in a lot near her business, the Hannibal City Council directed City Manager Lisa Peck to survey downtown business owners to get their opinions on the idea.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, City Attorney James Lemon suggested the survey out of concern that if the city leased the parking spaces, others might want the same deal and parking for visitors could be limited.

April Azotea, owner of La Azotea Lounge, 323 N. Main, said her biggest concern is for female employees who leave the bar after they complete their shifts at 3:30 a.m. She said her employees have been followed to their vehicles on several occasions and police were called at least twice. Azotea noted that she would not need the parking spaces during regular business hours, but would need them at night which could help ease concerns over losing some parking spots for people visiting Main Street.

Council members also heard from another Main Street business owner who is concerned about the curb cuts in the sidewalk at Hill and Main. Sara North, one of the owners of Becky Thatcher’s Ice Cream Shop, said that many people have tripped and several, including herself, have fallen. North said the design of the cutout at that intersection is different from the design at most other intersections along Main Street.

Second Ward Council member Mike Dobson said MODOT was in charge of the design of the sidewalks when Main Street was rebuilt a few years ago.

In other action:

The City Council accepted the donation of property at 902 Fulton Avenue from M. Brent and K. Latrinda Taylor. The property has been deemed to be a nuisance or dangerous building by the city. It will likely be torn down.

The Parks and Recreation Department has been awarded a $100,000 Land Conservation Partnership Grant for the construction of a 40 foot by 60 foot Nature Pavilion at the Sodalis Nature Preserve. The pavilion will include electricity, picnic benches and a fireplace.

Parks and Recreation will also contribute $100,000 dollars to the project. The City Council approved spending $19,500 dollars for the design of the project and Klingner and Associates will do the design work. The project is in the 2022-2023 budget.