More parking spaces are expected to make their way into Osborne Village at the cost of several loading zones.
A report coming to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure next week recommends cutting back on some loading zones, which could free up dozens more parking spots in the area.
RELATED: City looking at freeing up parking spots in Osborne Village
Removal along with reducing hours and the size of loading zones would lead to a much needed increase of 35 on-street parking spots during the day, 31 spaces in the evening and five additional spaces on Saturdays, the report said.
The study found approximately 49 loading zones in the village that account for about 176 potential on street spaces.
RELATED: Fewer loading zones, more parking up for review in Osborne Village
The Winnipeg Parking Authority (WPA) determined 15 loading zones could be removed entirely, 10 could have their hours of operation reduced to add additional evening parking, and six could have both their size and hours of operation reduced.
City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi spearheaded this initiative and says it’s good news for Osborne Village.
“It’s a way to, quite painlessly, free up a lot of on-street parking,” Gerbasi said.
“This is going to be good for the businesses when they want people to come and go, and park.”
Gerbasi said the WPA was careful in their review to only remove loading zones when there wasn’t another option.
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She mentioned some loading zones have even become obsolete.
“In some cases the business that had originally got the loading zone is no longer even there, and it’s no longer needed,” Gerbasi explained.
The Osborne Village Biz likes the idea of more parking spaces, but CEO Stephanie Meilleur does have concerns about a pair of loading zones that are being removed on River Ave. west of Osborne St.
“Those ones are used a lot for our businesses, primarily the ones at River and Osborne,” Meilleur said.
She said she plans to be at city hall on Tuesday when the report is introduced.
The plan does not need city council approval and the WPA will be moving forward with this process, by notifying nearby business owners and residents.
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