The city of Barrie will be offering two-hour free parking during the upcoming first phase of downtown construction.
The initial phase of the construction on Dunlop Street, between Mulcaster and Owen streets, begins Monday, Sept. 9.
Because parking will be impacted during the project, city council voted on Monday to open up the 39 parking spaces on the entire fourth floor of the Collier Street Parkade for free for a maximum of two hours.
“I feel it is important to keep people coming downtown during this construction phase, even if it is during a time that is usually slower for shopping,” said Coun. Clare Riepma.
“I think the projected cost of doing this per month would be somewhere between $6,000 and $8,500, and it probably won’t cost us that when all is said and done. However, I would say that even that is a fairly reasonable cost to ensure the downtown keeps working well," said Riepma.
There are 300 parking spaces in the Collier Street Parkade, located at 27 Collier St., and only 40% of those are utilized.
Coun. Sergio Morales spoke in favour of the free parking scenario, pointing out it could be beneficial for more than just convenient parking.
“Hearing that we only have 30% to 40% uptake, there’s no cost,” said Morales. “Worst-case scenario it's not used, best case scenario it is used, we do well by the local businesses and we get all of this amazing marketing to a parking garage that people may not have utilized and now are exposed to.”
The two-hour free parking will be provided for Phase 1A exclusively, which is anticipated to occur from Sept. 9 to Nov. 8.
Staff will report back to council with an update on the initiative; if successful, council may decided to extend the free parking to other phases of the construction project.
