CEDAR RAPIDS - Just when businesses are getting ready to flourish in downtown Cedar Rapids, owners say parking is holding them back.

With the number of workers in downtown going up since the flood, the number of parking spots is going down.

"As people are coming back to work they have less places to park, so they fill up what's available, and there's not too much," said Adam Miller with Downtown tire.

But there is ample room in Downtown Tire's parking lot, or at least there's supposed to be room.

"Basically yeah, and we need those spots for our customers and our employees," said Miller.

Miller and his co-workers put up a sign to remind people where they can't park.

The problem isn't just annoying, it's costly according to business owner Alex Carey.

"Yesterday one client had so much difficulty finding a place to park, that she canceled her appointment," said Carey.

Since the flood, parking anywhere in downtown is free, ramps or meters.

Since the meters are free, Doug Neumann with the Downtown District said the biggest problem is that people are skipping the ramps, and parking out front instead - all day long. Others just fill up the remaining ground lots.

"My job isn't walking to work, it's getting there on time, so the only way to do it is to make your own spot," said one worker getting into her car.

But, here's the thing, there are plenty of places to park.

Of the five public ramps in downtown, the 1st Street ramp is closed because of the flooding and the 3rd Avenue ramp is closed for scheduled maintenance, according to the Downtown District.

The 4th Avenue ramp, the GTC ramp and the 5 Seasons Parkade are all open, according to the Downtown District.

Thursday, the Downtown District said there were more than a hundred spots open in the three open ramps, while at the same time there were virtually no street spots available.

Parking in downtown Cedar Rapids hasn't gone back to normal because the city is in the middle of debating about trying a new system.

Cedar Rapids City Council Member Chuck Wieneke says the council is expected to talk about the parking system next week.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com