Kenton Business Owner Expresses Concerns Over Lost Parking Spaces on Detroit Street

At Monday evening’s Kenton City Council meeting, there was a lot of discussion concerning the loss of parking spaces from a business on North Detroit Street.

Kim Hites, who along with her sister, owns No Limits Hair and Tannery, asked council members to find a solution for the loss of spaces as a result of the construction project.

She said the lost spaces create a serious hardship for her employees and customers.

Hites pointed out that it is essential to have parking nearby, especially for her elderly customers with mobility challenges.

She told council members she spoke with the mayor on November 7, 2025, and was told the spaces would remain.

She added that was confirmed on November 12, and she received an assurance on November 14.

After the project was completed, Hites said she was informed the spaces would not be restored.

Rob White, from the Ohio Department of Transportation District One office in Lima said the bottom-line reason the spaces were lost is to accommodate today’s bigger trucks.

He said lanes must be a bare minimum of 11 feet wide to accommodate the bigger vehicles.

White also said a substantial increase in traffic over 30 years necessitates changes.

He also pointed out that 68 is a U.S. route and is a designated freight route through Ohio.

That means the road is designed for larger interstate type trucks.

All sides, including the city’s administration and Streets and Alleys Committee, agreed to continue discussions in hopes of finding a solution.

You can view the complete meeting here: https://cityofkenton.com/news_detail_T10_R132.php