MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Parking Co., which has four parking lots in Mount Vernon, is doing some maintenance work this summer. This week the old stone steps in front of the lot at 102-104 S. Gay St. were repaired and a handrail added. Barry Stevens of Outdoor Designs, said one of the stone pillars at the top had fallen over, and the sandstone was cracked and weakened on the other.

The handrail was added, according to Sara Pifer, spokesperson for the parking company, so those parking in the lot could use the steps to enter and exit the lot rather than climb the hill at the driving entrance. Pifer added the company has added security lights at the lots as part of an ongoing upgrade.

The improvements were paid for from a bed tax levied on hotels and motels in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Parking Co. was formed in the 1950s for the convenience of downtown shoppers.