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
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.