A family says when they tried to find handicapped parking in downtown Syracuse Friday morning, the available spots were blocked off.
John Beckwith and his daughter-in-law, April, are both wheelchair-bound. They were trying to park in a handicapped space in front of the Federal building on Water Street, but say a truck was blocking the three spots.
"My son's going to have to push his wife for blocks and blocks just to come here to the federal building when you got parking right here at the federal building, but it's blocked off," says John Beckwith.
Beckwith says eventually building security allowed them to park illegally in front of the building, but says it was a frustrating experience not being able to find a place.
Several streets are blocked off Friday for the Empire Brewfest.
City officials say parking can be tough to find on festival days. Mary Beth Roach with the Syracuse Park's Department says while there is one handicapped spot in front of the building Friday, there are many other spots available within one block of most downtown locations.
She says the Park's Department is willing to help out people with handicapped permits, especially on festival days, if they anticipate parking being a problem.
"If we can do it without hampering overall public safety, then we'll do what we can, sure," says Roach.
The Park's Department can be reached at 473-4330.
