During the St. Helens City Council Work Session on December 18, 2024, significant concerns were raised regarding ongoing parking issues and the impact of construction projects on local businesses. The meeting highlighted frustrations from community members about the prolonged closure of parking spaces in the downtown area, which has been exacerbated by a construction project that has disrupted the area for over a year.

A local business representative expressed their dissatisfaction with the city’s inability to meet previously committed deadlines for reopening parking. They noted that the closure has affected approximately 35 parking spaces at the end of South First Street, contributing to a broader loss of parking throughout downtown. The representative emphasized that this situation is discouraging customers from visiting the area, which contradicts the city’s goals of promoting tourism and supporting local businesses. In response to the lack of communication from city officials, the representative organized an online petition that garnered around 150 signatures, demonstrating community concern over the parking situation.

Additionally, another speaker raised issues regarding the absence of recorded minutes from previous meetings, which has delayed the approval of important city matters. They criticized the city’s focus on industrial development while neglecting significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) actions that have effectively closed off waterfront access and left contaminated sites unaddressed.

The discussions during this work session underscore the urgent need for the city council to address both the immediate parking challenges affecting downtown businesses and the broader environmental issues that could hinder future development. As the council moves forward, the community is looking for timely responses and effective solutions to these pressing concerns.