Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Signage like this — pointing out how to get to businesses impacted by roundabout construction at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street — is one effort to alleviate impacts from construction. The city’s Planning Commission discussed other options specifically related to parking during a Wednesday morning meeting.

Between the construction on the roundabout and upcoming construction for a senior living complex, parking in downtown Warren will inevitably be impacted.

The city’s Planning Commission spent some time during Wednesday’s meeting considering possible options to alleviate that pressure this summer.

Commission chair Angie Dart said that the suggestion originated with the idea that “small businesses downtown feel a little slighted with all the construction coming up.”

She initially proposed the idea of free parking on Fridays.

Director of Codes and Planning Randy Rossey said he has met with many of the business owners in that area. “Parking didn’t seem to be the issue at the moment,” he said, rather the challenge is “people finding a way to get to their area. … Some people are a little shy or put off by the construction area, having to drive through it.”

Rossey said he learned “patronage has dropped off a little bit” with the construction.

“We, as the city, need to encourage them. These businesses are open, are accessible. (We need to) do whatever we can to support that end of it.”

Commission member Mike Suppa said he never has a problem parking fairly close to his intended location but did suggest spots downtown limited to free, 10-minute parking for people getting in and out quickly of downtown locations.

Rossey said a couple such spots exist on Second Avenue and Hickory Street.

Suppa asked about the Blair lot on Liberty Street in light of the shuttering of much of their business operations.

“We can reach out,” Rossey said, though he noted that the parking lot closest to the Blair building on Third Ave. has been chained off.

The idea for one or two hours of free parking was discussed but city Manager Mike Holtz outlined enforcement issues that come with that.

Rossey said he would continue to check in with business owners in the area and can discuss potential changes as traffic patterns change in the coming months.