© Provided by Akron Beacon Journal Meter parking on Main Street in Akron is mostly empty as many residents are staying at home, but if they venture downtown, they won’t have to pay for on-street parking. It’s free for the time being, city officials said. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

With few employees reporting to work downtown, the city of Akron has suspended metered on-street parking.

"Given that most of the businesses are closed, we felt it would make it more convenient for those people who were stopping downtown to get carry out, et cetera, to park short-term at a meter for free," said Ellen Lander Nischt, press secretary for Mayor Dan Horrigan.

© Provided by Akron Beacon Journal Meter parking on Main Street in Akron is mostly empty as many residents are staying at home, but if they venture downtown, they won’t have to pay for on-street parking. It’s free for the time being, city officials said. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

The meters were recently bagged, giving motorists the option to leave their cars in more visible spaces.

"Many of the parking decks are more empty than usual, and that can make patrons feel unsafe," said Nischt. "So it is also for the safety of those patrons, and the employees who would otherwise be out checking meters, at a time when few people would be paying to park.

Nischt said the meters will be un-bagged when the state and city lift the Stay at Home Order.

Reach Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.