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Free Saturday parking likely to return to downtown core

Michelle Trudeau, DIA Economic Development Committee Chair and owner/operator of The Framemaker stands with Bob Alger, DIA Chair and owner/ operator of Alger Furniture & Appliances in support of free Saturday parking.

Michelle Trudeau, DIA Economic Development Committee Chair and owner/operator of The Framemaker stands with Bob Alger, DIA Chair and owner/ operator of Alger Furniture & Appliances in support of free Saturday parking.

Monday night the Downtown Improvement Area (DIA) Board of Management officially requested that City Council eliminate the Saturday paid parking enforcement currently taking place downtown in order to bolster more shoppers to the downtown area.

“Although there are four- two hour free parking lots surrounding the downtown the general consensus is that consumers want free parking that is closer to downtown retailers, especially with the coming of winter,” Bob Alger, DIA Chair said.

The DIA board feels that the return of free Saturday parking would be more supportive of local businesses.

“The issue of free parking comes up time and time again with our retailers and shopper’s. We feel Saturday free parking would put us on a level playing field with the competition and generate more revenue for our retailers,” Jeff Serran, DIA Manager said.

Deputy Mayor Chirico said the problem with free parking before was that those spaces, which were supposed to be open to consumers, were taken by employees and area residence.
“How will it be different this time?” he asked.

The difference this time, Alger said, is that policies will be in place to ensure the spaces remain available.

“Stores will have policies to curb their employees from parking in the downtown core. Some stores may implement strategies such as employee parking benefits… We don’t want employees paying out of pocket for a parking spot either,” Alger said.

The elimination of paid Saturday parking will be considered in the 2008 budget process.

“Originally we wanted this implemented for December Christmas shopping. But we are happy that the city is working with us to ensure a healthy, rejuvenated downtown,” Serran said.

The DIA Board said they realize that waterfront development and future residential development may impact downtown parking. But, those developments are still in the distant future.

“The paid Saturday parking issue has been like a small cancer for us; we need to cut it out,” Alger said.

Once upon a time families could take a worry free trip downtown to spend some time hustling and bustling in their community.

The DIA members have worked hard to bring quality and rejuvenation to the downtown core and soon those care-free days of free Saturday parking will return.