Paid parking in the vicinity of the Commercial St. revitalization project will be suspended during construction, in a bid to encourage more people downtown. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

two hour limit

Free parking coming for areas of downtown Nanaimo during Commercial St. upgrades

Sep 11, 2024 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — In a bid to encourage shoppers downtown during a construction project, the City is waiving some parking fees.

City Councillors gave unanimous approval on Monday, Sept. 9 to suspend paid street parking in the vicinity of the Commercial St. revitalization project and replace it with a flat, two-hour time limit.

Steven Johns, owner of Red Shelf Decor and a member of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association, said while the underground and surface enhancements are needed, the construction impacts are being felt.

“We really appreciate that it’s going forward and it’ll look great in 10 months, but parking has been the one thing we’ve heard the most about from businesses and customers as the biggest [concern].”

He campaigned for Council to not only make downtown parking in the immediate area free, but to also remove parking fees on nearby parkades to offer more options for shoppers.

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“On Commercial St. there’s about 17 parking spots still open…then there’s four to seven on Skinner St. depending on how people park. We’re hoping to have both options for people because some people would rather park in parkades and some on the street.”

Both technical and operational limitations prevented Council from granting Johns’ request.

Monthly paid pass holders, along with contractually obligated spots would create an equity issue, according to City staff, should parking be free in a wide area.

A flat two hour time limit will apply to the affected areas, instead of paid parking. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Staff recommended an option of converting an area of 1 Port Dr., near Port Place Shopping Centre, into a temporary parking lot, however it received little traction.

Coun. Ben Geselbracht asked whether it was possible to allocate a free zone inside the adjoining parkades instead.

“I’m opposed to having a new parking lot created and I think the distance from the downtown is a barrier so people wouldn’t really use it. But I think if we go a little bit extra, 10 per cent or whatever’s feasible in the parkade, to do the two hour [free], that would go a long way.”

Staff said it was possible and would require some signage and appropriate management of the spaces. The idea could return at a future Council meeting.

Upgrades to Commercial St. are planned to be done in phases, with the first one concentrated around the Bastion St. intersection.

Roadway closures for vehicles are in place from Wharf St to Church St./Chapel St., however all businesses remain open and accessible to pedestrians.

The removal of parking fees in the area will cost the City around $55,000 in lost revenue for the length of the project.

The Commercial St. revitalization project is closing sections of the roadway to vehicles until mid-2025, however businesses remain open for pedestrians. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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