Cheers rang out the Apex Town Council meeting Tuesday after the board approved for the town manager to go forward with pursuing solutions to the parking problem.

Downtown business owners have been concerned with the lack of parking spaces for their customers after construction began on the new police department. The department moved into mobile units that were placed in a parking lots, taking up many spaces.

By working with the business owners, the town proposed numerous options that will provide more than 100 parking spots. The plan will cost the town about $219,000 from the general fund -- not budgeted money.

The solutions include:
•placing gravel in the parking lot adjacent to the CSX railroad building on the East side of the 100 block of Salem Street
•paving the area along Seaboard street, providing 33 to 40 spaces
•allowing parking in front of the 200 block of Salem Street
•installing several bike racks in town
•restriping pavement in the Apex Chamber, adding a handful of parking spaces.

Town Manager Bruce Radford said there are a few more ideas in the works.

Business owners who attended the meeting said they are relieved and want to see the project carried out as soon as possible.