We try to encourage businesses to stay open. We want them to take advantage of special events like this.
The fact is people are parking all over the city. So even if you are not on the parade route, you can get business.
The hall takes up a lot of space on the waterfront. We want the developer to either lease it or purchase it, but it's important to get (the property) back on the city's tax rolls.
We've never done a study, but we think the number of people coming downtown will impact the downtown economy. We hope they will see a restaurant or retail shop they like and come back.
