Discounted parking rates of up to 25 per cent for Thunder Bay residents are being discussed by city council.
At last night’s meeting, a report was brought forward to council regarding parking issues in the downtown area.
City Manager, John Collin, discussed the three proposed changes to the city’s parking fees.
- A residential discount for people living near city parkades and parking lots.
- Consideration to businesses whose profitability are affected by construction; a system to temporarily wave parking fees in those areas of construction.
- To increase the use of parkades and lots by addressing safety, recommending enhancements to security within the parkades.
Some councilors also suggested adding discounts for employees who work nearby. Potential workers are turning down employment due to the parking fees.
“The bulk of our taxes are generated from the two downtown cores (North Core and South Core), and if those businesses are telling me they’re having a problem maintaining staff, and this is another thing harming their business, I feel that I need to do something,” said councilor Shelby Ch’ng.
The idea was then proposed that employers should be responsible for employees having trouble with parking fees, and that parking fees are no more than $2 per day, which should be affordable.
This referral was defeated shortly after.
With unknown costs and efforts to take security measures in the parkades, they will bring this back to council on November 25 for further consideration.
