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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.