My name is Bryan Stephens, the author of this petition and like many others, I own a business and property on 6th Street that the city of Kemah, TX has illegally closed. This sudden closure has caused immense strain on our businesses as our patrons cannot find parking spaces. For small businesses that rely on street parking, this obstructs our customer's accessibility and severely impacts our day-to-day operations.

Beyond facing economic setbacks ourselves, we recognize that this change also disrupts the dynamics of the community. The lively neighborhood of Kemah, TX, known for its small businesses, is suffering due to the unlawful and unwarranted closure of our street.

According to a study conducted by ITDP (Institute for Transportation & Development Policy) in 2016, retail businesses depend on street accessibility and visibility for 22%-55% of their clientele. By blocking street parking, we are potentially losing half of the footfalls our businesses once enjoyed.

For the growth of our business community and to maintain the vibrancy and livability of our neighborhoods, it is crucial to reopen the street. By signing this petition, you stand with local businesses, pleading the city of Kemah to rectify their actions and to uphold the law, ensuring roads are not closed without permission of the businesses and payment for the land taken as the law requires.  In addition, the businesses on this street had to pay for these parking spaces and now they have been taken from us with no compensation.

Please, stand with us. Your signature can be the extra pressure we need to instigate the change we seek. Sign the petition to reopen our street and restore the heartbeat of our business community.