Survey regarding free parking in Knoxville trends on social media [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A survey that “gauges the benefits of the current Free Nights and Weekend policy” in downtown Knoxville is making its way around social media. 

The survey wasn’t created by the city of Knoxville but by the Downtown Merchants Group, which consists of downtown Knoxville business owners. 

“A lot of the merchants though, didn’t feel like they were really getting a seat at the table and wanted to make sure that their input was heard,” said Scott Schimmel, the co-owner of Bliss and a member of the Downtown Merchants Group.

Currently, Knoxville allows free parking in city-owned garages on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays. The city has not said it’s taking free parking away, but Schimmel says if they decide to, it will do more harm than good.

“It’ll be more difficult …