Jessica, the owner of 11 Salon at 1105 Eighth Avenue, told the Marion City Council during the second public forum that a chronic lack of parking in Uptown Marion is hurting small businesses and deterring customers.

"We've been there for 14 years now, and parking has been an issue the whole time, but significantly more so probably the last 5 or 6 years," Jessica said. She told the council customers report there is nowhere to park from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and said the lack of nearby parking can steer older customers or those with young children away from local shops.

Jessica said new construction — including a new building near her and a proposed project on the former library site — appears to be proceeding without parking plans that would serve existing businesses. "People would rather go through a Starbucks drive through for convenience than park 2 blocks away to go to Uptown Coffee," she said.

Because the topic was not on the agenda, the mayor said the council could not discuss the item during the meeting and invited Jessica to remain after the session to speak with staff about parking plans and any available city responses. A staff member advised that staff could fill her in on plans after the meeting.

The public comment underscores an ongoing concern among Uptown merchants about competition for on-street and nearby parking as new development continues in the area. Council members did not take action during the meeting; staff follow-up was suggested.

Jessica provided the council with these specific points during her five-minute public comment:

- Business location: 11 Salon, 1105 Eighth Avenue, Uptown Marion.
- Business tenure: Owner has operated at that location for 14 years; parking has worsened in the last 5–6 years.
- Typical parking shortage window cited: roughly 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday–Saturday.
- Concern that elderly customers and parents with newborns are deterred by a lack of nearby parking.
- Noted upcoming construction, including a building near her location and a proposed project at the former library site, without parking plans discussed in the comment.

The mayor and staff encouraged Jessica to meet with planning and economic development staff after the meeting to review any pending site plans and to discuss possible responses.