Sault launches parking survey to determine usage, parking habits and needs
A survey on parking at city-owned lots throughout the city, as well as on-street parking downtown, began recently in the Sault.
“In most municipalities, parking is a contentious issue,” said Salvatore Marchese, Sault's Downtown Association executive director.
“This is giving us the opportunity to do something that’s data-driven.”
Contentious is right. Saultites we spoke to had a lot to say about parking in the city.
“The two-hour limit makes it hard to do any real shopping downtown,” one person said.
“I know there are some parts around here where it’s difficult to find a parking spot," said another local.
At this point in the process, surveyors are strictly looking for data, such as how many parking spaces there are and what the level of usage is.
Over the next few months, the focus will switch to public input, understanding the parking habits and needs of people in the Sault.
An open house event is a welcome idea for one resident, who wants to see a lot of change for parking in the city and has ideas on how it should happen.
“We have lots of empty lots, like the Plummer Hospital, it’s sat empty for a decade,” the resident said.
“That could be used to create a parking spot like an actual building.”
Whether it’s the time limit on free parking lots, or the price of parking along Queen Street, the Downtown Association hears about it.
Marchese said until now, feedback from the public couldn't be used to make changes in the city.
That’s something he said will change as a result of this survey.
“The city will take that information and do an analysis and see if they’re going to make a recommendation to council,” said Marchese.
“If it’s something that’s going to be for reference, then it’s something that we can access. But it’s just to have something so an analysis can be made to determine what’s best.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.