WINNIPEG – A plan to limit free evening parking in the downtown has hit a snag.
Councillor Jeff Browaty has asked the proposal, which was made in efforts to encourage turnover in the area around the MTS Centre, be sent back to the Winnipeg Parking Authority for further consultations.
The WPA wants to limit parking on downtown streets to two hours between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Currently there’s no fee for on-street parking downtown after 5:30 p.m.
Browaty had supported that proposal but at Wednesday’s council meeting said it was clear from businesses and residents that it needed further consultation.
“The parking authority and the Downtown Biz insist they have done adequate consultation, we are hearing that might not be the case at this point,” said Browaty.
But he also said the status quo wasn’t going to work for long: something needs to be done to discourage drivers from occupying on-street parking spots all night.
In January the WPA proposed extending paid meter parking by three hours (from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) in the area known as the Sports Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED). The WPA said charging an evening fee would help free up parking spaces and increase turnover.
But when several business owners voiced opposition, the WPA said it would instead simply limit the number of parking hours from three to two.
The proposal will go back for review with a report expected in December.
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