The Victoriaville business association is trying to take a proactive approach to parking issues that will be created in the south core once the new courthouse is up and running.
Parking authority representative Bill Scollie spoke of a request made by the BIA Tuesday morning at the Thunder Bay Police Service’s board meeting about moving a couple of taxi stands in the 100 block of North Brodie Street.
The BIA would like to see the meters moved closer to the former Capitol Theatre, which could mean moving the bus stop presently in that location.
“It’s just a matter of trying to be proactive and to be ahead of the wave that’s going to hit with small solutions to essentially small problems,” he said.
With a growing population at the Wesley United Church since it amalgamated with First United Church and that block of Brodie Street full of businesses, Scollie said there is already tremendous pressure on street parking in the area.
Once the courthouse comes, that pressure is only going to increase.
“It would be unacceptable to wait two-and-a-half years until the courthouse opens and try to solve all the problems,” Scollie said, adding he felt the police board was receptive to the request.
Board chair Joe Virdiramo said they will be sending the information to the city’s transit and engineering department as well as the parking authority to see if they can find a solution that will meet everyone’s needs.
“Because the courthouse is a huge endeavour, a lot of parking is required and hopefully we can get all that resolved prior to its opening,” he said.
In other police board news, $2,000 in funding was approved for the Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps for uniforms and training equipment.
