THUNDER BAY - The recent increase and minimum $2 charge for one hour of parking is being walked back by city council after business owners and residents expressed concerns.
On Monday, Thunder Bay council heard several deputations from business owners, leaders, and residents representing the downtown cores.
“It is going to kill some businesses without question,” said Peter White, chair of the Waterfront District Business Improvement Area. “We ask you to reconsider the parking changes in that light.”
Changes to parking costs went into effect at the beginning of the month and included a $2 minimum charge for one hour of parking at any metered space or city-owned lot, excluding the Market Square lot at Marina Park.
The increase was met with frustration from business owners in the downtown cores, with the Waterfront BIA launching a petition calling on city council to implement 15 and 30 minute increments.
“What we are finding out is that is going to be a very difficult issue for a lot of businesses in the Waterfront district BIA,” White said. “For instance, coffee shops, delivery personnel, people who are doing just short pickups are now going to have to spend a minimum of an hour or roll the dice and risk getting caught.”
White warned that the north core is already facing challenges with ongoing construction in the area and the minimum $2 parking may turn customers away from the area all together.
“We are now asking them to have to deal with increased parking fees for not only their staff, but more to the point, their customers - and it’s going to potentially turn some people away, that is our view,” he said.
These concerns were echoed by Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson, who said she has heard similar frustrations expressed by business owners in all commercial neighbourhoods.
“The chamber is very concerned about the one-hour minimum parking charge. Many small businesses are still struggling to overcome pandemic loses, loan payments, inflationary impacts, low purchasing power of consumers, and online shopping,” she said.
“With so many challenges facing businesses, the introduction of a minimum one-hour charge for parking appears out of touch with their struggles.”
Brian Arbour, speaking on behalf of other residents living in the downtown north core, spoke to the other change implemented on June 1 that saw parking enforcement hours expanding to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
Because of the changes, Arbour said residents parking on the street at a meter are now paying $12 a day during the week and $28 a day on Saturdays.
“It doesn’t sound like a ridiculous amount of money, but it adds up to a ridiculous amount of money,” he said.
The deputations also raised concerns about the Court Street parkade, saying there is a reluctance to use it due to safety concerns.
“It is not a safe place to park,” Arbour said. “That is something, that if we are going to be pushed to do, council needs to address in a meaningful way.”
Council passed a motion on Monday to implement short-term stay rates at parking meters and city lots.
The parking rates are now a 50-cent minimum for 15 minutes and 50 cents per extra 15-minute increments.
The Market Square lot at Marina Park now includes a 75-cent minimum for 15 minutes and 75-cents per extra 15-minute increments.
Coun. Kasey Etreni also brought forward a motion calling on city administration to review concerns relating to residential parking brought forward by residents in the downtown cores, primarily the expanded enforcement times.
Councillors were reminded several times by city administration that these changes to parking were in the plan reviewed and approved by city council and implementation is already underway, such as adding new decals to payment machines.
“The hours have been approved by council,” said general manager Karen Lewis. “It can’t be a reconsideration to change the hours. A member of council can bring a notice of motion to reconsider the hours. There is a lot more information we need to bring for council to make that decision.”
“You did get the information, full stop,” added city manager Norm Gale.
Councillors Brian Hamilton and Kristen Oliver said the minimum parking charges and extended hours were overshadowed by adding paid parking to Marina Park.
Etreni’s motion asking administration to review the concerns of downtown residents was passed by council. Administration will return on July 22 with a report.
