Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 11 June 2012 18:49
Parking fees could be doubled on Vernon's busiest downtown street. It's currently 50 cents an hour on 30th Avenue, but that will rise to a dollar if a parking committee-gives approval. The other streets will stay at the same rate. Downtown Vernon Associaiton president Ruth Hoyte says higher fees may deter people from shopping downtown, but the move will have benefits. "Any parking rate increases that may come out of the parking strategy would go to improved parking, so overall, we're very pleased with that." Hoyte says Vernon's parking rates are still low compared to other communities. "We've got cheap parking downtown already as it is. A fellow who got a ticket from Calgary was actually thrilled just to pay five bucks." Hoyte says her business group is happy they are getting a long overdue parking committee to address the issues like not losing parking. "We would have a venue to monitor and improve that." The city's transportation technician Amanda Watson says the quick-pay parking fine will go from five, to 15 dollars. "The parking fines at the moment are too low to be an actual deterrent. People see it as a price that they can take the gamble with." Watson says the plan finds ways to keep vehicles moving on 30th Ave. "The desire is to reduce the occupancy. At the moment, the parking stalls are generally 85 percent full." The city will also spend $67,780 for 214 new parking 'smart' meters for 30th Ave, that will accept credit cards and coins. Efforts will also be made to improve usage at the downtown parkade.
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