Sign snafu blocks parking on downtown street

ATLANTA — For the second week in a row, downtown Atlanta business owners faced parking concerns after officers mistakenly placed "No Parking" signs along Mitchell Street in preparation for Thursday's Falcons game.

Rita Jackson works at Charlot's Creole Cafe and told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri the signs drive away business.

"You know it's just hard to make ends meet, because if people see it, they're not coming back. The street is going to be closed. What are they going to come down here for?" Jackson said.

Georgia Dome representative Jason Kirksey told Viteri a Georgia World Congress Center public safety officer mistakenly put up the signs this week, even though they weren't authorized, to ease traffic after Thursday's game.

The signs ban parking from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Thursday. Kirksey said officials are meeting with city leaders to discuss a long term plan for traffic.

"Our officials are meeting right now with the city, and they're trying to come up with a solution that works for everyone, our fans, the business owners," he said.

Paul Luna owns the restaurant Lunacy Black Market. He told Viteri the city should include Mitchell Street businesses in the discussion, "To meet with the residents and meet with the business owners to find out about working together. It should not be done behind closed doors."

Georgia Dome officials said they will not block parking on Mitchell Street for Thursday's game and are still working on plans for future events.

WSBTV