THUNDER BAY – The Waterfront District BIA welcomes two-hour free parking in the north core.
Kara Pratt, executive director of the Waterfront District BIA, told Newswatch the change will be great for retailers and restaurants.
She said the city’s parking strategy has been a “hot button issue” for residents and, for the businesses the BIA represents, paid costs seem to hurt small retailers and restaurants.
However, Pratt pointed out that it’s hard to tell if the impacts are from paid parking or the construction on Red River Road and the loss of available parking spots.
“We have advocated for accessible parking in terms of accessibility but also price-wise for years, so just working with the city and trying to figure out what is the best solution for the time is how we're moving forward,” Pratt said.
Pratt said she likes how the city is taking a step back and looking at gathering a baseline of the public’s parking habits through the Passport Parking app. Even having parking patrols mark tires will still provide useful results.
“Creating that baseline will allow all of us to work together to come up with a solution when paid parking does return,” Pratt said.
John Murray, owner of Red Lion Smokehouse, said the area businesses will benefit from the two-hour free parking that went into effect Tuesday.
“It's a real boost for our downtown, and I think parlaying that with the timing of our reopening of Red River Road here is perfect timing and great for businesses and a chance for people to sort of get downtown again, supporting all these independent local businesses down here,” said Murray.
He said the value in the complimentary parking plan will allow some customers to “pop in and out” of coffee shops or buy a gelato and “not have to worry about parking.”
Pratt said, “it could be a quick stop. If somebody's picking up something very quickly, you don't have to worry about finding a spot,”
Pratt warns the public to be mindful when parking in city service lots and the parkade. They do not fall under the city’s complimentary parking plan.
Members of the public will only get two hours of free parking at on-street parking meters.
“I want people to be sure that they aren't surprised by something,” Pratt said.
